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SpaceX, Charter Discuss Starlink Mobile Service; Shares Jump 9%

7/1/2026

30 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

SpaceX held talks with Charter to launch a mobile service merging Starlink Direct-to-Cell with Spectrum Mobile.
Charter said it would use its Wi-Fi hotspots and CBRS small cells for Starlink traffic, declining comment.
Analysts said the small-cell network could narrow Starlink gaps yet an MVNO deal with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon is unlikely.
Charter’s shares rose about 9% to $146.17 while the three major U.S. wireless carriers’ stocks fell.

History

Historical Context

The FCC began rulemaking for the 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service in 2012, completed the rules in 2017 and granted full commercial use on Jan 27 2020, creating a 150 MHz shared band. Early trials by Verizon and standards work by the Wireless Innovation Forum in 2015 laid the groundwork that today lets Charter pair the CBRS band with SpaceX’s Starlink Direct-to-Cell for its Spectrum Mobile service.

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Story summary

SpaceX held talks with Charter to launch a mobile service merging Starlink Direct-to-Cell with Spectrum Mobile.
Charter said it would use its Wi-Fi hotspots and CBRS small cells for Starlink traffic, declining comment.
Analysts said the small-cell network could narrow Starlink gaps yet an MVNO deal with AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon is unlikely.
Charter’s shares rose about 9% to $146.17 while the three major U.S. wireless carriers’ stocks fell.

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