SpaceX expands Starlink satellite network with $17bn EchoStar deal:
The spectrum purchase allows SpaceX to expand the cell network’s capacity and help ‘end ...
aljazeera.com/economy/2025/9/8/spacex-expands-starlink-satellite-network-with-17bn-echostar-deal
Photo: aljazeera.com · view article
SpaceX plans $17bn spectrum purchase from EchoStarAnnounced on September 8, the transaction is intended to extend direct-to-cell services to areas without mobile coverage.
Key FactsSep 8, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: aljazeera.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: aljazeera.com
- SpaceX plans to acquire wireless spectrum licences from EchoStar for about $17bn for its Starlink network.
- The agreement would give EchoStar’s Boost Mobile subscribers access to Starlink direct-to-cell service in areas without coverage.
- According to SpaceX, upgraded laser-connected satellites could increase the network’s capacity by more than 100 times.
- Under the agreement, SpaceX would pay up to $8.5bn in cash and issue up to $8.5bn in stock.
deals that EchoStar reached with AT&T and Starlink hold the potential to supercharge competition, extend innovative new services to millions of Americans, and boost US leadership in next-gen connectivity— An FCC spokesperson said
News on this topic
SpaceX expands Starlink satellite network with $17bn EchoStar deal: The spectrum purchase allows SpaceX to expand the cell network’s capacity and help ‘end ...
aljazeera.com/economy/2025/9/8/spacex-expands-starlink-satellite-network-with-17bn-echostar-deal
SpaceX buys wireless spectrum from EchoStar in $17 billion deal: Elon Musk's SpaceX said Monday it will buy wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar for its ...
reuters.com/business/media-telecom/spacex-buys-wireless-spectrum-echostar-17-billion-deal-2025-09-08/
EchoStar Stock Jumps On Spectrum Sale To SpaceX. AST, Iridium Retreat. Globalstar Pops.
investors.com/news/technology/echostar-stock-spectrum-sale-ergen-musk-spacex-starlink/
More articles on this subject
Previous
Musk's SpaceX spends $17 billion to acquire spectrum licenses from EchoStar: Elon Musk’s SpaceX has reached a deal worth about $17 billion with EchoStar for ...
apnews.com/article/echostar-spacex-musk-att-fcc-98875d3efa06242b0af80399dd3e0ca8
EchoStar to sell spectrum to SpaceX after FCC threatened to revoke licenses: Starlink says $17 billion spectrum purchase will improve its cellphone service.
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/09/spacex-complaints-to-fcc-pay-off-with-17-billion-spectrum-buy-from-echostar/
WATCH | SpaceX buys wireless spectrum from EchoStar in $17bn deal: Elon Musk's SpaceX said on Monday it will buy wireless spectrum licences from EchoStar for ...
timeslive.co.za/news/sci-tech/2025-09-09-watch--spacex-buys-wireless-spectrum-from-echostar-in-17bn-deal/
dlvr.it Sep 09 25
SpaceX bulks up Starlink Direct to Cell with $17B EchoStar spectrum deal: : Dreams of one satellite constellation die so another can live
theregister.com/2025/09/09/spacex_echostar_spectrum_deal/
Starlink invests $17 billion to expand direct-to-cell offerings, including to Boost Mobile
androidpolice.com/starlink-echostar-17-billion-spectrum-boost-mobile/
Why Is EchoStar Stock Surging Monday? - EchoStar (NASDAQ:SATS): EchoStar is selling AWS-4 and H-block spectrum to SpaceX for $17 billion, funding debt payments ...
benzinga.com/m-a/25/09/47543512/elon-musks-spacex-acquires-echostar-spectrum-to-transform-global-satellite-connectivity
SpaceX pays $17 billion to acquire spectrum licenses from EchoStar: SpaceX has reached a deal worth about $17 billion with EchoStar for spectrum licenses that it ...
pbs.org/newshour/nation/spacex-pays-17-billion-to-acquire-spectrum-licenses-from-echostar
SpaceX Strikes Wireless Gold With EchoStar Sale. Expect Better Coverage With These Carriers
cnet.com/tech/mobile/spacex-strikes-wireless-gold-with-echostar-sale-expect-better-coverage-with-these-carriers/
Musk's SpaceX buys $17 billion in wireless spectrum to boost cellular service: Elon Musk's SpaceX announced Monday it has purchased $17 billion in wireless ...
latimes.com/business/story/2025-09-08/musks-spacex-buys-17-billion-in-wireless-spectrum-to-boost-satellite-network
Barron's Sep 08 25
Want to Own a Piece of SpaceX? EchoStar Just Might Be the Best Way In.: Echostar now has an ace up its sleeve: a big stake in Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
barrons.com/articles/spacex-echostar-stock-deal-361c59cc
Paid articlePaywall
Starlink buys mobile frequencies: Direct-to-cell possible without a partner: Elon Musk's SpaceX has secured frequency licenses from EchoStar in a $17 billion ...
heise.de/news/Starlink-kauft-Mobilfunkfrequenzen-Direct-to-Cell-ohne-Partner-moeglich-10636727.html
Musk’s SpaceX to buy EchoStar Spectrum for $17 billion: SpaceX, the Elon Musk-backed company that owns the Starlink satellite internet network ...
mercurynews.com/2025/09/08/musks-spacex-buy-echostar-spectrum/
EchoStar offloads satellite spectrum to SpaceX for $17 billion: Dish parent company EchoStar is selling wireless spectrum licenses to SpaceX for $17 billion ...
theverge.com/news/773645/echostar-dish-spacex-starlink-direct-to-cell-fcc-investigation
SpaceX spends $17 billion to acquire spectrum licenses from Englewood-based EchoStar
denverpost.com/2025/09/08/spacex-echostar-spectrum-licenses/
SpaceX Strikes Spectrum Deal With EchoStar to Supercharge Cellular Starlink: SpaceX is spending $17 billion on the spectrum, which promises to help improve ...
uk.pcmag.com/networking/159959/spacex-strikes-spectrum-deal-with-echostar-to-supercharge-cellular-starlink
SpaceX to pay $17 billion in wireless spectrum deal: This lets SpaceX offer direct-to-device Starlink services on its own frequencies.
axios.com/2025/09/08/spacex-elon-musk-echostar-wireless-spectrum
Paid articlePaywall
SpaceX buys wireless spectrum from EchoStar in $17 billion deal
businesspost.ie/article/spacex-buys-wireless-spectrum-from-echostar-in-17-billion-deal/
Paid articlePaywall
SpaceX buys wireless spectrum from EchoStar in $17 billion deal: The deal comes months after the Federal Communications questioned EchoStar's compliance with ...
cnbc.com/2025/09/08/echostar-to-sell-spectrum-licenses-to-spacex-for-17-billion.html
Musk’s SpaceX Buying Wireless Spectrum Licenses For $17 Billion: The deal will allow Boost Mobile subscribers to access direct-to-cell service from SpaceX’s ...
forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2025/09/08/spacex-purchasing-wireless-spectrum-licenses-from-echostar-for-17-billion/
SpaceX strikes $17B deal to buy EchoStar’s spectrum for Starlink’s direct-to-phone service
techcrunch.com/2025/09/08/spacex-strikes-17b-deal-to-buy-echostars-spectrum-for-starlinks-direct-to-phone-service/
Elon Musk’s SpaceX spends $17 billion to acquire spectrum licenses from EchoStar: Elon Musk’s SpaceX has reached a deal worth about $17 billion with EchoStar for ...
english.alarabiya.net/business/technology/2025/09/08/musk-s-spacex-spends-17-billion-to-acquire-spectrum-licenses-from-echostar
Musk’s SpaceX spends US$17 billion to acquire spectrum licences from EchoStar: Elon Musk’s SpaceX has reached a deal worth about US$17 billion with EchoStar for ...
ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/article/musks-spacex-spends-us17-billion-to-acquire-spectrum-licences-from-echostar/
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Spending $17B To Acquire Wireless Spectrum From Dish Network Parent EchoStar
deadline.com/2025/09/elon-musk-spacex-acquires-wireless-spectrum-dish-network-echostar-1236511808/
Paid articlePaywall
Elon Musk’s SpaceX to buy spectrum licences from EchoStar for $17bn: Deal follows pressure from regulators and is expected to help Starlink expand
ft.com/content/b02e2a6d-d508-49c8-887e-4533ae921b45
Paid articlePaywall Starlink in talks to acquire EchoStar Spectrum
businesspost.ie/article/starlink-in-talks-to-acquire-echostar-spectrum/
Paid articlePaywall Barron's Sep 08 25
EchoStar Stock Surges 23% on Sale of Licenses to SpaceX for $17 Billion: SpaceX will pay up to $8.5 billion in cash and up to $8.5 billion in stock in the ...
barrons.com/articles/echostar-stock-spacex-spectrum-7bd5e0ce
Paid articlePaywall
Elon Musk’s SpaceX to Buy EchoStar Spectrum for $17B, Fund $2B in Debt Interest Payments
hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/elon-musk-spacex-echostar-spectrum-licenses-debt-deal-1236364873/
Next
Similar to This
Previous
Asset rich but cash poor, Colorado’s biggest telcom company misses key bond payments
denverpost.com/2026/07/12/echostar-spacex-wireless-fcc/
A dying satellite company sold spectrum to Elon Musk—and turned $11.1 billion in SpaceX stock into the Fortune 500’s best shareholder return
fortune.com/2026/06/04/echostar-stock-elon-musk-spacex-spectrum-bankruptcy-to-best-shareholder-return-fortune-500/
Paid articlePaywallDemocrats Sound the Antitrust Alarm Over SpaceX-EchoStar Spectrum Deal: Sen. Elizabeth Warren sends a letter to the Justice Department and the FCC ...
uk.pcmag.com/networking/162165/democrats-sound-the-antitrust-alarm-over-spacex-echostar-spectrum-deal
SpaceX acquires $2.6 billion more in spectrum licenses from EchoStar: SpaceX has acquired more spectrum licenses from EchoStar.
engadget.com/mobile/spacex-acquires-26-billion-more-in-spectrum-licenses-from-echostar-170233413.html
EchoStar crafting a game plan for the billions it has generated in spectrum sales
denverpost.com/2025/11/07/echostar-capital-executive-ergen-wireless/
SpaceX to Spend Another $2.6B on EchoStar Spectrum to Boost Starlink: Verizon was eying the EchoStar radio spectrum, which works on the 1695-1710MHz bands for ...
pcmag.com/news/spacex-to-spend-another-26b-on-echostar-spectrum-to-boost-starlink
Iridium: SpaceX-EchoStar Spectrum Deal Will Be 'Disruptive,' Force a Pivot: Iridium expects SpaceX's $17 billion deal to shake up the status quo in the satellite ...
pcmag.com/news/iridium-spacex-echostar-spectrum-deal-will-be-disruptive-force-a-pivot
9to5Mac Oct 06 25
SpaceX developments might encourage Apple to switch to Starlink: Apple has gradually ramped up the capabilities of its iPhone satellite communications services ...
9to5mac.com/2025/10/06/two-spacex-developments-might-encourage-apple-to-switch-to-starlink/
Key FactsSpaceX Spectrum and Satellites Boost Apple Options
Oct 6, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: 9to5mac.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: 9to5mac.com
- Apple currently relies on Globalstar for iPhone satellite services but may switch to Starlink due to recent SpaceX advances.
- SpaceX acquired EchoStar’s spectrum licenses worth $17 billion, securing 50 MHz in critical US and global bands.
- The Starlink satellite fleet is set to expand from 650 to as many as 15,000 for enhanced mobile connectivity.
- This expansion might persuade Apple to partner with Starlink, given Globalstar’s limited satellite count and spectrum.
Buying the EchoStar spectrum will give SpaceX more leverage in their negotiation with Apple.— Telecom analyst Philip Burnett discussing how the acquisition of spectrum will impact negotiations between SpaceX and Apple.
SpaceX Eyes 15,000 More Satellites for Cellular Starlink, Hints at Carrier Plans: After the $17 billion EchoStar deal, SpaceX requests to build a constellation ...
pcmag.com/news/spacex-eyes-15000-more-satellites-for-cellular-starlink-hints-at-carrier
Hughesnet Exec Admits SpaceX Is the Leader in Satellite Internet: Charlie Ergen, founder of Hughesnet parent company EchoStar, also says he asked SpaceX to ...
uk.pcmag.com/networking/160091/hughesnet-exec-admits-spacex-is-the-leader-in-satellite-internet
Starlink for Only $59 Per Month? SpaceX Offers Cheapest Satellite Deal Yet: However, the discount for residential plans is for new sign-ups, lasts for 12 months ...
pcmag.com/news/starlink-for-only-59-per-month-spacex-offers-cheapest-satellite-deal-yet
After SpaceX and AT&T deals, EchoStar could be set for another wireless spectrum windfall
marketwatch.com/story/after-spacex-and-at-t-deals-echostar-could-be-set-for-another-wireless-spectrum-windfall-087f5653
Paid articlePaywallElon Musk Says Starlink Could Replace Your Cellphone Carrier: The SpaceX CEO outlined a vision for Starlink internet beamed directly to your cellphone.
cnet.com/home/internet/elon-musk-says-starlink-could-replace-your-cellphone-carrier/
Why SpaceX made a $17B bet on the direct-to-cell market: Explaining SpaceX's aggressive move to dominate satellite-to-phone connectivity.
techcrunch.com/2025/09/09/why-spacex-made-a-17b-bet-on-the-direct-to-cell-market/
SpaceX's $17 Billion EchoStar Deal Won’t Work Without Starship: The spectrum SpaceX is buying could let it beam full 5G service from space to cell phones ...
forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2025/09/09/spacex-echostar-starship/
SpaceX Strikes Spectrum Deal With EchoStar to Supercharge Cellular Starlink: SpaceX is spending $17 billion on the spectrum, which promises to help improve ...
pcmag.com/news/spacex-strikes-spectrum-deal-with-echostar-to-supercharge-cellular-starlink
EchoStar stock is soaring again: Spectrum deal with SpaceX pushes Dish Network parent sky high
fastcompany.com/91399856/echostar-stock-price-today-spacex-spectrum-deal-dish-network-parent
FCC threat to revoke EchoStar spectrum licenses draws widespread backlash: FCC threatens “legal stability” of wireless market, Free State Foundation says.
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/06/fcc-threat-to-revoke-echostar-spectrum-licenses-draws-widespread-backlash/
FCC threatens EchoStar licenses for spectrum that SpaceX wants to use: SpaceX alleged EchoStar is barely using spectrum, said it’s “ripe for sharing.”…
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/05/fcc-threatens-echostar-licenses-for-spectrum-that-spacex-wants-to-use/
Exclusive | FCC Threatens Charlie Ergen’s Hold on Satellite, 5G Spectrum Licenses
wsj.com/business/telecom/fcc-threatens-charlie-ergens-hold-on-satellite-5g-spectrum-licenses-e2913889
Paid articlePaywall Next