SpaceX 寻求收购 Boost Mobile，借道切入美国地面移动网络

Satellite 5G Wireless Business Transformation News SpaceX eyes back door to MVNO via Boost Mobile – report SpaceX's Elon Musk reportedly had talks with EchoStar's Charlie Ergen about a deal to buy Boost Mobile or use its network for Starlink mobile services, reports The Washington Post. Michelle Donegan , Senior Editor, Light Reading November 2, 2026 3 Min Read (Source: hapabapa/Getty Images) Brief SpaceX reportedly talked to EchoStar about buying Boost Mobile or gaining access to its network to provide Starlink mobile services as it aims to be a "major mobile carrier" in the US, according to The Washington Post. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk reportedly met with EchoStar Chairman and CEO Charlie Ergen last month about a potential deal that could open a back door to leasing network capacity from Boost Mobile's MVNO partners, AT&T and T-Mobile. SpaceX wants terrestrial network coverage to complement its satellite-based mobile services, but AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are so far opposed to an MVNO deal with their space-based rival and are likely to fight any attempt to open a back door. Insight The Washington Post's report that SpaceX has talked to EchoStar about buying or using Boost Mobile's network is the latest twist in the speculation about how Elon Musk can build a terrestrial network and position Starlink as an emerging "major mobile carrier" in the US. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are against allowing SpaceX's Starlink to use their networks through an MVNO deal. The reported discussions with EchoStar suggest that the satellite operator is looking for a way around the carrier opposition. Boost Mobile is EchoStar's mobile service provider brand that runs on AT&T and T-Mobile networks, and ended Q3 2026 with 7.38 million wireless customers. AT&T's acquisition of EchoStar spectrum last year included a wholesale agreement whereby Boost would deliver services via AT&T's radio access network and its own core network, transitioning from T-Mobile. If a new deal materializes with EchoStar, SpaceX might have a back door to leasing AT&T and T-Mobile networks, according to the report. The news follows a recent report that SpaceX is in discussions with US tower companies as part of a plan to build a wireless network with 80,000 sites , which would be larger than the footprints of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, which have an average of 75,000 sites each. Other speculation assumes a more logical path for SpaceX is to acquire what remains of the Dish Wireless network, which is now in the hands of the operator's tower infrastructure providers, including American Tower, as part of an ongoing legal dispute, as Light Reading reported . Indeed, TMF Associates analyst Tim Farrar questioned the framing of the Washington Post report. "I'm not sure why this is pitched as SpaceX buying Boost, which the MNOs would try to veto. Clearly, SpaceX wants the underlying DISH Wireless network. My assumption is that Boost is spunoff to CONX, unclear if that has change of control implications?" he posted on X . CONX is EchoStar CEO Charlie Ergen's special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which recently agreed a deal to acquire MVNO MobileX and has moved to acquire low-power TV station owner (and 5G Broadcast champion) HC2 Broadcasting. The Big Three US carriers have closed ranks against SpaceX and the possibility of agreeing to terms for using their networks. They are also united in agreeing to create a joint venture for providing mobile satellite direct-to-device (D2D) services in remote areas, through which they will pool some spectrum resources and offer unified platform for integrating with satellite operators. During the latest earnings calls, each of the three carriers reiterated their opposition to considering MVNO terms with SpaceX, with Verizon CEO Dan Schulman delivering the most robust rejection. He was also clear that there is not a way in through one of its existing MVNO partners. "I will say, and I'll repeat it again, that there are no back doors to any of our MVNO agreements, and I see absolutely no benefit whatsoever to extending an MVNO deal to any satellite provider. I don't buy into the idea of this prisoner's dilemma. That's ridiculous," he said. It is not clear if SpaceX would inherit Boost Mobile's MVNO arrangement with AT&T if it acquired the service provider. A change of control might negate those terms. But it is almost certain AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon will seek to block any attempt for SpaceX to ride on their networks. About the Author Michelle Donegan Senior Editor, Light Reading Michelle Donegan covers all things 5G, 6G and mobile tech for Light Reading. She has been writing about the telecoms sector since the early 1990s. Her first job was with Global Telephony magazine in Chicago, where she got an intro to publishing and tech reporting. After moving to the UK in 1999, she has covered telecoms tech, business and policy issues at publications including Communications Week International and Total Telecom. She was also part of Light Reading’s European editorial team from 2007 to 2013. Between stints at Light Reading, she was busy freelancing and was a regular contributor to Mobile Europe, Mobile World Live, TelcoTitans, TM Forum, and more. See more from Michelle Donegan Want more Light Reading stories in your Google search results? Add Us Now Subscribe and receive the latest news from the industry. Join 62,000+ members. Yes it's completely free. Sign me up Want more Light Reading stories in your Google search results? OFC Conference and Exhibition Experience OFC. 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