SpaceX Taps Qualcomm for Starlink Mobile U.S. 5G Buildout

SpaceX has signed a multiyear agreement with Qualcomm Inc. to supply radio equipment, baseband units and software for Starlink Mobile’s planned nationwide terrestrial 5G network in the United States, Qualcomm said Wednesday.

The chipmaker said its Dragonwing cellular infrastructure hardware and software will be deployed across tens of thousands of macro cell sites, with the first installations scheduled to begin in 2027. Financial terms were not disclosed. Qualcomm called the pact “our biggest 5G deal yet,” according to CNA.

Terrestrial network beside satellites

Qualcomm said the terrestrial build will complement Starlink’s satellite capabilities as SpaceX seeks to establish a major U.S. wireless carrier alongside AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. The Verge reported that SpaceX plans to combine the Dragonwing platform with its direct-to-cell satellite constellation. CNBC reported that SpaceX last month announced an agreement to purchase a nationwide 800 MHz spectrum portfolio.

Durga Malladi, a Qualcomm executive vice president, said the companies are building cellular infrastructure in the United States that advances 5G and can lay the foundation for 6G in coming years, according to The Verge. Qualcomm, best known for smartphone chips, is expanding in telecom infrastructure against Marvell, Broadcom and Intel, CNA reported, and already helps power 5G networks in Japan and Vietnam.

Spectrum and carrier rivalry

SpaceX has not announced tower-company partners or how many new towers the plan may require, CNBC reported. Mobile carriers typically lease space from tower firms that host multiple operators. Questions remain about the scale of investment needed to compete with the largest U.S. wireless carriers, CNA said, even as SpaceX advances spectrum buys and talks with tower firms.

Sources: Qualcomm, The Verge, CNA, CNBC.