SpaceX reportedly in talks over EchoStar's Boost Mobile
SpaceX is in talks to buy EchoStar's Boost Mobile wireless service or gain access to its network, the Washington Post reported on 2 Nov. No deal has been confirmed. EchoStar had about 7.4 million wireless subscribers at the end of the second quarter, mostly Boost Mobile and Gen Mobile customers. The Washington Post says the arrangement could require approval from AT&T and T-Mobile, which power Boost's network. EchoStar shares rose about 3.4 per cent in premarket trading, while T-Mobile shares fell about 2 per cent. Neither SpaceX nor EchoStar had commented.
Key facts
- SpaceX bought $17 billion of wireless spectrum from EchoStar last year.
- Elon Musk discussed the potential deal with EchoStar chairman Charlie Ergen in October.
- AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have reportedly rejected Musk's requests for network access.
- Bloomberg reported in October that SpaceX sought access to at least 80,000 US cell sites.
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Why it matters
A deal could let SpaceX build a hybrid cellular-satellite network and enter US mobile service.
What changed
First published from CNA, The Verge, TechCrunch and Engadget