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T-Mobile might not be the only US carrier partnering with SpaceX on cellular Starlink service.
Over the weekend, CEO Elon Musk said SpaceX has an exclusivity agreement with T-Mobile on delivering cellular Starlink connectivity. But apparently, the deal won’t last long.
“Starlink direct to mobile phone Internet is exclusively with T-Mobile in the US for the first year, then other carriers thereafter,” Musk tweeted. “We are starting off working with one carrier in each country, but ultimately hope to serve all carriers.”
The tweet raises the possibility that SpaceX could expand cellular Starlink access to AT&T and Verizon — but only if the carriers partner with the company. So far, those two rival carriers are backing a rival startup in Texas called AST SpaceMobile, which is also preparing to use orbiting satellites to beam high-speed internet to phones on the ground.
AST SpaceMobile is preparing to send up its first batch of commercial satellites this month with the aim of kicking off beta testing with AT&T and Verizon as soon as December. However, the startup needs to launch between 45 to 60 commercial satellites before it can offer continuous coverage in the US.
In contrast, SpaceX has already launched over 160 satellites for its cellular Starlink system, which plans to start serving T-Mobile customers later this fall, starting with text messaging before rolling out internet and voice connectivity in 2025. As a result, Musk's tweet suggests he'll try to attract business from AT&T and Verizon at the expense of AST SpaceMobile.
Musk's tweet also comes he’s been promoting the benefits of the cellular Starlink service to secure approval from the FCC, despite opposition from AT&T and Verizon. Last week, Musk mentioned that the cellular Starlink tech could offer free emergency service to any phone located in a cellular dead zone — even those belonging to other carriers.
It’s also possible Musk’s tweet is more about the cellular Starlink service operating exclusively in the US for the first year before it expands to other markets, such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, where SpaceX already has deals with local carriers.
SpaceX and T-Mobile didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.