If SpaceX (SPCX) CEO Elon Musk wants to put pressure on wireless carriers — and even Apple (AAPL) and Samsung (005930.KS) — he would develop a phone to run specifically on Starlink.
“Elon says he doesn’t want to make a phone,” well-known tech analyst Gene Munster wrote in a new X post. “I still think SpaceX eventually will. A vertically integrated handset on a Starlink mobile network could deliver features carriers can’t match, and cheaper service. That’s a bigger problem for Samsung than Apple. Apple’s device and services tie-in is harder to break.”
Musk’s SpaceX just sent a strong message to the wireless industry: It’s coming for its share of the subscriber pie.
SpaceX Chief Engineer Elon Musk raises his phone towards the sky during a joint news conference with T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert (not pictured) at the SpaceX Starbase, in Brownsville, Texas, U.S., August 25, 2022. REUTERS/Adrees Latif · REUTERS / REUTERS
Late Thursday, SpaceX said it will acquire a nationwide low-band spectrum portfolio. It positions Musk’s satellite business Starlink to challenge legacy wireless giants across the US.
Shares of AT&T (T), T-Mobile (TMUS), and Verizon (VZ) were down in premarket trading on Friday on the news. SpaceX shares rose 4%.
22.15 -2.45 (-9.95%)
As of 11:44:02 AM EDT. Market Open.
T VZ SPCX
Concerns had already escalated across Wall Street that Starlink could disrupt legacy wireless operators like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile by transitioning from a rural broadband service into a direct mobile competitor.
Following its strategic acquisition of terrestrial spectrum and rapid deployment of advanced satellites, SpaceX had laid the groundwork to launch its own standalone cellular network alongside its direct-to-cell capabilities.
Now it looks like all systems are go for SpaceX.
“We think the addition of low-band spectrum makes Starlink a more credible Mobile operator given the ability of the lower band spectrum to penetrate buildings,” KeyBanc analyst Brandon Nispel said.
Brian Sozzi is Yahoo Finance’s Executive Editor, host of the Sozzi Unleashed morning show, the ‘Power Players With Brian Sozzi’ podcast and a member of Yahoo Finance’s editorial leadership team. Follow Sozzi on X @BrianSozzi, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Tips on stories? Email brian.sozzi@yahoofinance.com.
Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices
Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance