SpaceX is purchasing an additional $2.6 billion in wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar. This acquisition expands upon a $17 billion deal that was first announced in September. The move supports the growth of SpaceX’s satellite internet business, Starlink, which continues to attract new customers worldwide.
The spectrum sale was announced shortly after SpaceX revealed it has surpassed 8 million global customers. This growth was further underscored when International Airlines Group announced it will install Starlink inflight internet on more than 500 aircraft. The group’s portfolio includes major airlines such as British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus.
The additional spectrum from EchoStar will be used to develop Starlink’s new “direct to cell” constellation. This initiative will initially enable T-Mobile customers to access satellite-based 5G internet services.
EchoStar began selling its spectrum licenses earlier this year following pressure from the Federal Communications Commission and the Trump administration. Reports indicate that the former president personally urged EchoStar’s CEO to sell the licenses. The September sale to SpaceX effectively ended EchoStar’s own plans to build a direct-to-device satellite constellation. SpaceX is not the only company to purchase spectrum from EchoStar; in August, the company sold $23 billion worth of spectrum licenses to AT&T.
The agreement with International Airlines Group will see Starlink installed on planes starting in 2026. The European group plans to make the service available on short-haul, long-haul, and global routes, essentially equipping every aircraft not scheduled for retirement.
Starlink has been steadily expanding across the aviation industry over the last few years. The service began on smaller jets and private planes in 2022 and has since secured significant commercial partnerships. Hawaiian Airlines was the first major carrier to adopt the service. United Airlines announced a deal to integrate Starlink in late 2024 and then accelerated its rollout earlier this year. Qatar Airways also outfitted dozens of its wide-body planes with Starlink this year.
All of these developments have helped SpaceX reach a milestone of more than 8 million Starlink customers across 150 different countries. This is a notable increase from the 6 million customers reported in June.