SpaceX Seeks Access to 80,000 US Cell Sites for Wireless Network

Businesses that depend on mobile service may gain a fourth nationwide wireless carrier to choose from, as SpaceX works to secure access to at least 80,000 cell sites across the United States, according to people familiar with the matter. The talks, reported on Thursday, would advance the company’s path toward building its own ground-based network, though the plan still depends on leasing a large share of existing towers and years of spending.

Related on BizScoreAI: SpaceX Free Share Pledge for Every US Child: What It Means.

What is SpaceX trying to build?

SpaceX, which is buying nationwide low-band spectrum, is in talks with mobile infrastructure provider Crown Castle, according to the report. The company recently received Federal Communications Commission approval to launch 15,000 satellites designed to provide mobile service directly to phones, and the value of the potential tower deals could reach into the billions, according to the report.

TD Cowen estimated that a nationwide terrestrial network would cost more than $80 billion and require many years of construction plus billions of dollars in additional spending. During the company’s earnings call this week, Musk said, "We will be building out our terrestrial networks so there’s broad-based connectivity anywhere that SpaceX and Starlink are allowed to operate." He added that the satellite launches and spectrum purchase "will pave the way for Starlink Mobile to become a major mobile carrier in the US."

How much of the US tower network is in play?

The 80,000 sites would equal half of the 158,500 purpose-built cell towers that were operational in the United States last year, according to the Wireless Infrastructure Association. Crown Castle operates about 40,000 US cell towers, American Tower has about 42,000 US sites, and privately held Vertical Bridge owns around 18,000.

Crown Castle CEO Christian Hillabrant said on Wednesday that the company was talking to "all parties" when asked about potential leases with SpaceX and Amazon, but declined to discuss specific customers. Crown Castle, American Tower, Vertical Bridge and SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Why existing carriers are watching

Shares of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile fell between 4.2% and 5% in extended trading as the discussions were reported. Tower operators moved the other way, with Crown Castle gaining 9% and American Tower adding 5%.

What happened the last time a fourth carrier was attempted

In 2020, DISH set out to build a nationwide network and signed a long-term agreement under which, in Crown Castle’s words, "Crown Castle will lease DISH space on up to 20,000 communication towers," Crown Castle said when the deal was announced.

That effort unwound. After DISH’s parent company, EchoStar, announced it was selling spectrum licenses to AT&T and SpaceX, DISH notified Crown Castle and other partners in September 2025 that it was discontinuing its network business, according to Crown Castle. DISH then defaulted on its obligations, and Crown Castle said it "exercised its right to terminate the agreement and to recover in excess of $3.5 billion in remaining payments owed," in a statement filed with the SEC.

What this means for you

For a business, this is worth following as the story develops. The network does not yet exist, the tower deals are still in negotiation, and the cost estimate runs past $80 billion over many years. The practical effects:

1. The talks are reported as in progress, with no completed agreements named.
2. Treat a possible fourth carrier as a future option to compare on coverage and price, not a reason to switch providers before a network is operating.
3. If reliable mobile service is critical to your operations, keep a wired or backup connection in place regardless of how carrier competition shifts.
4. Put your effort into how clearly your business appears when customers and AI search tools look for it.

FAQ

How many US cell sites is SpaceX seeking access to?

SpaceX is in talks to secure access to at least 80,000 sites across the United States, according to people familiar with the matter. That would equal half of the 158,500 purpose-built cell towers operational in the US last year, according to the Wireless Infrastructure Association.

How much could a nationwide SpaceX terrestrial network cost?

TD Cowen estimated that a nationwide terrestrial network would cost more than $80 billion and require many years of construction plus billions of dollars in additional spending.

Which companies own the cell towers involved?

Crown Castle operates about 40,000 US cell towers, American Tower has about 42,000 US sites, and privately held Vertical Bridge owns around 18,000 sites. Crown Castle, American Tower, Vertical Bridge and SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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