SpaceX, the space company founded by Elon Musk, has taken a decisive step beyond space exploration and satellite connectivity. The company announced a $17 billion investment to directly connect mobile phones to its satellites, fully entering the global mobile market and challenging the telecom giants that have dominated the sector for decades.
This strategic move is a natural extension of the Starlink ecosystem, SpaceX’s satellite service that already provides high-speed internet to millions of users in rural and remote areas. The new bet seeks to completely eliminate coverage gaps, enabling any smartphone to connect to the network without relying on traditional cell towers.
With this initiative, SpaceX is not only promising to improve the user’s mobile experience but also introducing a structural shift in the telecommunications industry. Major operators—long accustomed to working with national licenses, costly infrastructure, and terrestrial tower deployments—now face a competitor with global reach and more flexible technology.
The announcement comes at a time of strong investment in digital infrastructure and the consolidation of artificial intelligence in network systems. Musk has emphasized that integrating AI into traffic management and frequency optimization will allow SpaceX to deliver a more efficient and cost-effective service. By leveraging its low-Earth orbit satellites, the company aims to ensure minimal latency and competitive bandwidth against 5G standards.
The scale of the investment also reflects Musk’s vision of turning SpaceX into a comprehensive player in global connectivity. The project is not limited to rural niches or emergency clients—it targets the mainstream mobile market, with direct implications for international roaming, infrastructure costs, and the geopolitics of telecommunications.
Although details are still pending regarding integration with device manufacturers and regulators, SpaceX’s entry into the mobile business promises to accelerate competition in a sector that for years has been marked by near-insurmountable barriers to entry. If successful, the move will not only transform the way we connect but also redefine the boundary between space and Earth in the digital economy.
Source: Forbes Argentina – SpaceX enters the mobile business after a $17 billion investment