Starlink Mobile satellites could eventually improve enough to pass their signals through walls, dense foliage, and hilly terrain.

Elon Musk’s reach spans multiple global industries, placing the billionaire (sometimes trillionaire, depending on the stock market) at the center of the electric-vehicle industry, space exploration, artificial intelligence and national politics. He’s already involved in telecommunications through his company SpaceX and its global satellite internet service, Starlink, but recent developments may soon expand his influence with satellite-to-cellular coverage.

SpaceX announced on X Thursday that it has agreed to acquire nationwide 800 MHz low-band spectrum to help build Starlink Mobile into a major US cellular carrier. By acquiring these low-band airwaves, SpaceX said it aims to improve signal propagation, allowing satellite coverage to bypass physical obstacles like building walls, dense foliage, and hilly terrain

“This is the last critical piece of the spectrum puzzle needed for SpaceX to provide complete phone coverage in America,” Musk posted on X.

A SpaceX representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Under the terms of Thursday’s announcement, SpaceX will acquire investment firm Grain Management’s nationwide 800 MHz low-band spectrum portfolio for an estimated $8 billion. The deal gives the satellite operator up to 14 megahertz of paired airwaves, enabling two-way data transmission between satellites and mobile devices. The acquisition remains subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission, which has not yet set a timeline for a decision.

Acquiring the low-band spectrum is crucial for Starlink Mobile’s cellular ambitions. Unlike the high-frequency beams used currently, these low-band airwaves possess the physical properties required to pierce concrete walls, dense foliage and urban infrastructure , effectively solving the indoor dead zone problem that has long limited satellite-to-phone connectivity.

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