SpaceX’s mobile carrier push reportedly involves tapping into 80,000 cell sites

<figure> <img alt="A photo of a cell tower" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo by George Frey/AFP via Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/gettyimages-1187777086.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">SpaceX is planning to access at least 80,000 cell sites as part of efforts to compete directly with Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&amp;T, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-22/spacex-in-talks-to-access-80-000-cell-sites-for-wireless-network">according to a report from <em>Bloomberg</em></a>. Sources tell the publication that SpaceX is in talks with Crown Castle Inc., one of the nation's largest cell tower owners.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The move would give SpaceX access to half of the 158,500 cell towers currently operational in the US, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/spacex-seeks-access-80000-us-cell-sites-wireless-network-bloomberg-news-reports-2026-10-22/">according to <em>Reuters</em></a>. When asked about a potential partnership with SpaceX, Amazon, or other satellite services during <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/CCIN.VI/earnings/CCIN.VI-Q3-2026-earnings_call-712907.html">an earnings call on Wednesday</a>, Crown Castle CEO Chris Hillabrant said, "I don't think I want to get into customer-specific detail, but y …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/science/1017477/spacex-cell-sites-major-us-carrier">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>