SpaceX Acquires $17 Billion Spectrum License from EchoStar

SpaceX has taken a significant step toward expanding its Starlink satellite internet network. EchoStar announced that it will sell all of the company's AWS-4 and H-Block spectrum licenses to SpaceX for approximately $17 billion.

The sale will reportedly involve $8.5 billion in cash and up to $8.5 billion in SpaceX shares. With these licenses, SpaceX aims to expand global mobile coverage by developing Starlink's next-generation "Direct-to-Cell" satellite constellation.

The statement also announced the signing of a long-term commercial partnership agreement between SpaceX and EchoStar. This agreement will allow Boost Mobile subscribers, owned by EchoStar, to access Starlink Direct-to-Cell service via its cloud-based 5G core infrastructure.

Spectrum, which refers to the different frequency ranges of radio waves, forms the basis of wireless communication. Telephone, internet, and satellite services operate on these frequencies.