SpaceX has announced that it will work with Qualcomm to build its cellular network, Starlink Mobile. Qualcomm says that the two companies entered into a multi-year deal to supply the radios, baseband units, and software for a nationwide terrestrial 5G network, which could eventually give Americans a fourth major carrier option.
Starlink Mobile will use Qualcomm’s Dragonwing QRU100 radio units and QDU100 baseband units, along with its Layer 1 software. The network will run on massive MIMO radios with 64 transmit and 64 receive paths (64T64R), which will help aim signals at users and get more out of SpaceX’s spectrum.
SpaceX is planning to start building out this network in 2027, with tens of thousands of cell sites planned over the course of the agreement. CNBC reports this is Qualcomm’s largest 5G initiative to date.
Starlink Mobile is coming for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile
SpaceX is coming for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, and this is a big reason why they wouldn’t allow an MVNO deal with any of these carriers. T-Mobile’s CEO recently said on their earnings call that there’s “no room for a SpaceX MVNO”. Well, how about a full-fledged Starlink carrier?
Until now, Starlink Mobile has basically been satellites only. But as you might expect, satellites can only go so far. That is why Starlink has been picking up spectrum to start building out its own nationwide network. Qualcomm says that the terrestrial network will complement Starlink’s satellites, so your phone can switch between towers and space depending on where you are.
Qualcomm is also on board on the phone side with its new X105 modem, which is the first modem to support Release 19. This is the standard used for Starlink Mobile’s satellite 5G, and it will appear in future phones running chips like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.
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