Investing.com — Space Exploration Technologies Corp (NASDAQ: SPCX) is in talks to secure access to at least 80,000 cell sites across the United States, according to Bloomberg, signaling a concrete step toward establishing a fourth nationwide wireless carrier. The satellite giant is negotiating with major tower operators, including Crown Castle International Corp (NYSE:CCI), as it assembles the physical infrastructure needed to complete its orbital network.
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During an earnings conference call Wednesday, Crown Castle CEO Chris Hillabrant declined to address specific negotiations with clients but acknowledged broader conversations across the industry. He noted that the company is actively engaged in discussions with all major satellite telecommunications providers exploring ground-level deployment.
Mobile networks rely heavily on ground-based tower antennas to route signals between portable devices and central network hubs. While traditional carriers such as AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and T-Mobile US Inc. lease space on shared infrastructure to manage capital costs, SpaceX operates a hybrid model that combines ground cells with its satellite constellation.
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Potential leases are expected to reach billions of dollars, reflecting the vast scale of the physical network required. CEO Elon Musk has positioned this initiative as a direct challenge to incumbents, supported by recent regulatory milestones and strategic spectrum acquisitions.
The Federal Communications Commission has granted SpaceX permission to launch 15,000 specialized satellites designed to beam mobile connectivity directly to standard smartphones. Integrating tens of thousands of ground sites will allow the company to manage signal density and deliver reliable broadband in dense suburban and urban corridors.
Additionally, SpaceX recently acquired low-band spectrum assets, establishing the foundational airwaves needed to transform its Starlink constellation into a standalone commercial network. This low-frequency spectrum provides superior building penetration and broad geographic reach, serving as a critical bridge between orbital satellite signals and ground-level cellular infrastructure.
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