Wall Street note suggests Elon Musk’s company could acquire the carrier to speed up its direct-to-cell satellite plans
A TD Cowen analyst is raising eyebrows on Wall Street with a bold take: SpaceX may need to buy T-Mobile outright if it wants to move faster into the wireless business.
The research note points out that while Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology works well for remote areas, it can’t match the speed and reliability of traditional ground networks in cities and suburbs. If deals with big carriers fall through, acquiring T-Mobile could give SpaceX the infrastructure it needs right away.
T-Mobile stands out as the top pick in the analyst’s view. The carrier has strong growth, a disruptive culture that fits with SpaceX, and an existing partnership with Starlink for satellite connectivity. The note also mentions AT&T as a more distant possibility, but T-Mobile gets the clear edge.
This speculation comes as SpaceX pushes hard into direct-to-cell service, letting regular phones connect straight to Starlink satellites. The goal is seamless coverage everywhere, including places where cell towers don’t reach. However, the analyst warns that satellites alone won’t deliver the full mobile experience customers expect.
More Read
The big U.S. carriers have shown little interest in giving SpaceX an MVNO deal, which adds pressure to the sector. Traditional wireless stocks continue to feel the heat from this long-term threat.
For now, this remains pure speculation. SpaceX has made no moves toward a deal, and buying a major carrier would trigger massive regulatory reviews, antitrust questions, and huge financing challenges.
Still, the TD Cowen report highlights how seriously SpaceX is taking the wireless market. Its satellite ambitions are not going away, and they could reshape how Americans get mobile service in the years ahead.
More Read
Why This Matters for SpaceX and Starlink
SpaceX already has Starlink satellites beaming internet to millions. Adding direct-to-cell takes it further by turning phones into satellite-compatible devices without extra hardware. A T-Mobile acquisition would combine that space tech with one of the largest U.S. wireless networks, creating a powerful hybrid system.
Investors and industry watchers will keep a close eye on any signs of real talks. In the meantime, the idea alone is keeping the conversation going about the future of satellite and terrestrial networks colliding.
