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T-Mobile owner on Elon Musk launching a wireless carrier: ‘Welcome to the party’

By · Via The Verge · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Höttges warned that SpaceX requires at least $200 billion to purchase sufficient spectrum and physical infrastructure to compete with established carriers. SpaceX plans to challenge firms like AT&T and Verizon by merging direct-to-cell satellites with a terrestrial network supported by Qualcomm cellular technology. Reports indicate the company may access 80,000 cell towers or explore acquiring Boost Mobile to scale operations. Höttges cautioned against dismissing Musk, drawing parallels to how the automotive industry underestimated Tesla.

Key points

  • Legacy carriers take the SpaceX threat seriously despite the immense financial hurdles re…: Legacy carriers take the SpaceX threat seriously despite the immense financial hurdles required to enter the wireless market.
  • SpaceX is pursuing terrestrial infrastructure through potential tower deals, technology p…: SpaceX is pursuing terrestrial infrastructure through potential tower deals, technology partnerships, or an acquisition of Boost Mobile.
  • Elon Musk has the technological potential to disrupt telecommunications by integrating sa…: Elon Musk has the technological potential to disrupt telecommunications by integrating satellites with chipsets, data centers, and artificial intelligence.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The head of T-Mobile’s parent company is casting doubt on SpaceX’s plans to make Starlink Mobile a “major” carrier in the US. During an earnings call on Thursday, Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Höttges says he takes the Elon Musk-owned company “super serious,” but that it will cost at least $200 billion to pull off:

T-Mobile owner on Elon Musk launching a wireless carrier: ‘Welcome to the party’

Starlink Mobile could cost SpaceX at least $200 billion, Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Höttges says.

Starlink Mobile could cost SpaceX at least $200 billion, Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Höttges says.

He [Musk] has now bought 76 megahertz of spectrum. By the way, we have 400. So if you now say he can buy the spectrum prospectively, do your math. These are kind of triple-digit billions which are needed to gain the spectrum position. If he has the money, go for it. Then he has to build a network. I can tell you, we have 85,000 towers. No, he can rent towers, no question. But this is another $20 to $30 billion which are…

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