SpaceX has agreed to buy EchoStar’s AWS-4, H-block and unpaired AWS-3 licenses for about $19.6 billion in cash and stock, with the final transfer to SpaceX targeted for November 30, 2027. SpaceX also agreed on October 8, 2026, to buy Grain Management’s nationwide 800 MHz licenses for an undisclosed price, pending FCC approval.
Once they close, the transactions would give SpaceX its own nationwide radio licenses for Starlink Mobile rather than relying only on spectrum from carrier partners like T-Mobile. These purchases pair mid-band capacity with low-band spectrum for reach into buildings.
What Spectrum SpaceX Has Bought
SpaceX has committed billions of dollars across two major transactions to acquire nationwide wireless radio spectrum licenses in the United States.
| Deal | Announced | Spectrum | Price | Status (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EchoStar AWS-4 and H-Block | September 2025 | AWS-4 and H-Block (50 MHz total) | Up to $8.5 billion cash, up to $8.5 billion SpaceX stock, plus ~$2 billion interest funding | Step one closed into trust; final transfer targeted November 30, 2027 |
| EchoStar AWS-3 Amendment | November 2025 | Up to 15 MHz unpaired AWS-3 (1695 to 1710 MHz) | $2,616,737,853 in SpaceX stock | Step one closed into trust; final transfer targeted November 30, 2027 |
| Grain Management 800 MHz | October 8, 2026 | Up to 14 MHz paired 800 MHz (817 to 824 / 862 to 869 MHz) | Not disclosed (Reuters relayed a Wall Street Journal report of about $8 billion in cash) | Pending FCC approval |
Together, these agreements cover approximately 65 MHz of mid-band spectrum from EchoStar and up to 14 MHz of low-band spectrum from Grain Management.
Why SpaceX Needs Licensed Spectrum
Connecting low Earth orbit satellites to ordinary mobile phones requires radio frequency bands that those phones support.
In the United States, T-Mobile provides the terrestrial spectrum for T-Mobile T-Satellite service.
OrbitalIntel’s guide to what mobile satellite service is explains mobile satellite spectrum licensing.
On October 6, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized SpaceX’s next-generation direct-to-device constellation of 15,000 satellites at 326 to 335 kilometers in order DA 26-1078. The FCC granted authorization across the AWS-3 unpaired band, the PCS G Block, the AWS-H Block, and the 2 GHz mobile-satellite band. The order states that commercial operations in the bands bought from EchoStar cannot start until the second step of the EchoStar transaction closes. Testing is allowed before then.
Mid-Band Capacity vs Low-Band Reach
Mid-band spectrum, such as the AWS-4 and AWS-H blocks SpaceX agreed to buy from EchoStar, offers substantial transmission capacity. The FCC’s order DA 26-471 approving the EchoStar transfer covers approximately 65 MHz of mid-band spectrum: 40 MHz AWS-4, 10 MHz H-Block and 5 to 15 MHz AWS-3.
The 800 MHz portfolio SpaceX agreed to buy from Grain Management covers 817 to 824 MHz paired with 862 to 869 MHz. Low-band spectrum provides signal reach into buildings. In a company update on October 8, 2026, SpaceX stated that “most existing mobile devices already support this underused band.”
SpaceX also stated in that update that the 800 MHz acquisition will “pave the way for Starlink Mobile to become a major mobile carrier in the US.” SpaceX explained: “Once we receive final FCC approval, Starlink Mobile will deploy a flexible architecture combining our satellite-to-mobile constellation in space with an advanced terrestrial deployment.” SpaceX calls Starlink Mobile the “first network operator to deploy both satellite and terrestrial spectrum.” OrbitalIntel compares SpaceX’s plans with the incumbent carriers in Starlink Mobile vs cell carriers.
The EchoStar Deals in Detail
SpaceX agreed to buy mid-band licenses from EchoStar in two agreements, signed in September 2025 and November 2025.
In September 2025, SpaceX agreed to acquire EchoStar’s AWS-4 and H-block licenses. According to an EchoStar SEC filing, the transaction was valued at approximately $17 billion. The terms provided for up to $8.5 billion in cash and up to $8.5 billion in SpaceX stock. SpaceX also agreed to fund approximately $2 billion of EchoStar’s cash interest obligations. SpaceX described the package as 50 MHz of S-band spectrum in the United States along with global mobile-satellite licenses. The agreement also granted subscribers of EchoStar’s Boost Mobile network access to next-generation Starlink direct-to-cell service.
On November 5, 2025, the companies executed an amendment to the agreement, announced in an EchoStar SEC filing dated November 6, 2025. SpaceX added up to 15 MHz of unpaired AWS-3 spectrum (1695 to 1710 MHz) for a purchase price of $2,616,737,853, paid entirely in SpaceX stock. This amendment raised the total consideration for the EchoStar spectrum assets to $19,616,737,853.
The regulatory transfer was structured as a multi-stage process:
- FCC Approval. On May 12, 2026, the FCC issued order DA 26-471 approving the license transfer in two stages.
- Step One Transfer. On May 22, 2026, step one closed, as detailed in an EchoStar Form 8-K filing. The licenses were transferred into an entity named Spectrum Business Trust 2025-1, rather than transferring directly to SpaceX.
- Step Two Final Closing. The final closing to convey the licenses from the trust to SpaceX is targeted for November 30, 2027.
Because step two remains open, SpaceX does not yet hold outright ownership of the EchoStar spectrum licenses. Financial analysts tracking the equity implications of these stock-funded deals can review OrbitalIntel’s analysis of whether SpaceX is publicly traded.
The Grain 800 MHz Deal
On October 8, 2026, Grain Management announced an agreement to sell 100 percent of its nationwide 800 MHz spectrum portfolio to SpaceX.
According to a Grain Management announcement, the portfolio consists of nationwide licenses covering the 800 MHz band. An earlier FCC order, DA 26-653, indicates that these licenses cover 817 to 824 MHz paired with 862 to 869 MHz across 3,224 counties. The licenses reach essentially the entire population of the United States. SpaceX stated that the transaction covers “up to 14 megahertz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band.”
Grain Management bought this 800 MHz portfolio from T-Mobile. That sale closed in August 2026, for cash plus Grain’s 600 MHz spectrum. Neither SpaceX nor Grain Management publicly disclosed the purchase price for the subsequent transfer to SpaceX. However, Reuters relayed a Wall Street Journal report, citing people familiar with the matter, that put the price at about $8 billion in cash.
The agreement between Grain Management and SpaceX remains subject to regulatory review and approval by the FCC, as well as customary closing conditions.
Existing Carriers’ Reactions and Industry Moves
The prospect of Starlink Mobile securing nationwide low-band and mid-band spectrum to deploy terrestrial mobile infrastructure prompted immediate commentary from incumbent wireless carriers.
As reported by NBC News on October 9, 2026, carrier executives pushed back on the idea that spectrum purchases instantly create a functioning mobile carrier. Verizon stated: “Acquisition of spectrum alone does not provide the network or infrastructure to offer true nationwide coverage.” In a LinkedIn post quoted by NBC News, T-Mobile’s John Saw remarked: “You cannot acquire a nationwide, high-performing wireless network overnight.” AT&T did not provide a comment to NBC News.
On October 1, 2026, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon formed a joint venture to coordinate direct-to-device satellite connectivity, while maintaining their respective standalone satellite agreements, according to a T-Mobile newsroom announcement.
Rival satellite-to-phone services include:
- AST SpaceMobile. A partner of AT&T and Verizon, AST SpaceMobile reported 13 spacecraft in orbit as of August 10, 2026, though SEC filings state its commercial service “has not been launched.” AST SpaceMobile targets approximately 45 BlueBird satellites in orbit in early 2027. AT&T reported expecting a beta before the end of 2026 and commercial launch in the first half of 2027. AT&T has not published pricing.
- Skylo and Verizon. Verizon provides basic satellite texting through Skylo on select recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel handsets at no extra fee. The service is SMS only. Verizon also signed a definitive agreement with AST SpaceMobile in October 2025.
- Globalstar and Apple. Apple offers Emergency SOS and Messages via satellite on iPhone 14 and newer models, free for two years after device activation, using Globalstar’s network.
What Is Pending
Four approvals and milestones remain open as of October 9, 2026:
-
The Grain Management 800 MHz transaction requires formal review and transfer approval from the FCC.
-
The EchoStar transaction remains in its interim phase. While the licenses sit in the Spectrum Business Trust 2025-1, step two must execute to convey final title to SpaceX. EchoStar filings establish the targeted closing date for step two as November 30, 2027. FCC order DA 26-1078 expressly prohibits commercial operations in the EchoStar bands until step two closes, although testing is allowed before then.
-
Regulatory decisions remain deferred on specific frequency requests. In its October 6, 2026 order, the FCC deferred action on SpaceX’s application for the 2020 to 2025 MHz band slice. The FCC also deferred SpaceX’s broader request for operations outside the United States.
-
SpaceX faces orbital deployment milestones set by the FCC. Under order DA 26-1078, SpaceX must deploy 50 percent of its authorized 15,000 next-generation satellites by October 7, 2032, and reach 100 percent constellation deployment by October 7, 2035.
What Would Change This Picture
Watch for the FCC’s decision on the Grain Management 800 MHz transfer.
The next indicator to monitor is the planned closing of step two in the EchoStar transaction, targeted for November 30, 2027.
As of October 9, 2026, SpaceX has not announced a consumer price, plan structure, official launch date, or list of supported phones for an independent Starlink Mobile carrier service.
To understand how the underlying satellite network connects to handsets today, read OrbitalIntel’s complete breakdown of Starlink Mobile service and capabilities. Readers evaluating the financial health of the seller in the $19.6 billion transaction can review our analysis of EchoStar stock and business operations.