SpaceX in talks to access 80,000 U.S. cell sites
Key Facts
SpaceX is negotiating with cellular infrastructure companies to secure access to at least 80,000 sites in the United States, Reuters reported, citing Bloomberg, on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Bloomberg cited people familiar with the matter in its report on the talks, a move that could pave the way for a fourth nationwide wireless carrier. The negotiations cover access to cell sites, with potential agreements still subject to the outcome of talks with the companies involved. The move puts terrestrial network requirements and costs at the center of the company's plans for the wireless market. TD Cowen estimated the cost of building a nationwide terrestrial network at more than $80 billion, according to the Reuters report. It added that the network would require years and additional spending, highlighting the scale of the financial and time commitments involved in building infrastructure across the United States.
Crown Castle is among the companies SpaceX is holding talks with, according to the Bloomberg report cited by Reuters. The company operates about 40,000 U.S. cell towers, placing its portfolio among the existing infrastructure under discussion. For comparison with the size of the industry, the Wireless Infrastructure Association said the United States had 158,500 purpose-built cell towers in operation during the year before the report. That figure covers towers designed for cellular use, while SpaceX's target concerns access to cell sites. Asked about leasing sites to SpaceX and Amazon, Crown Castle's chief executive said the company was talking to "all parties." He declined to discuss specific customers, while the talks with SpaceX remained attributed to the people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg.
In the stock market, shares of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile fell between 4.2% and 5% in extended trading following Thursday's report, according to Reuters. The decline came after the close of the session as news circulated of SpaceX's efforts to gain access to terrestrial infrastructure. Telecom stocks had earlier come under pressure at the Wall Street open in connection with SpaceX's spectrum deal, which Reuters said had raised competition concerns across the sector. On satellite connectivity, Verizon announced that carriers AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon had entered into a joint venture agreement. The venture focuses on expanding coverage in underserved U.S. areas through satellite connectivity, according to the company. Verizon said "existing agreements between telecom operators and satellite companies will remain in place." It added that the joint venture partners could continue connectivity efforts independently alongside their participation in the venture.
The cell-site negotiations follow an agreement SpaceX announced in October 2026 to buy spectrum from Grain Management. The agreement includes nationwide licenses for up to 14 megahertz of paired spectrum in the 800 megahertz band, according to coverage published by Investing. These licenses cover spectrum across the United States, alongside the separate talks to secure access to terrestrial cell sites. Reuters confirmed that the agreed acquisition covers 100% of Grain Management's nationwide portfolio in the 800 megahertz band. The agreement therefore extends to the company's entire portfolio in that band, according to Reuters' description of the deal's scope. Completion of the October 2026 agreement remains subject to approval by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.