SpaceX has selected Qualcomm’s Dragonwing Cellular Infrastructure platforms to support terrestrial base stations for Starlink Mobile, its planned US mobile network. The companies have signed a multi-year agreement covering tens of thousands of sites, with deployment expected to begin in 2027. Qualcomm called it its biggest 5G deal to date.

Qualcomm says the base stations are designed to improve coverage, capacity and spectral efficiency. The partnership gives Starlink Mobile a technology partner, but telecoms analysts say it still needs access to spectrum and towers to build out a ground-based network.

Tim Farrar, president of TMF Associates, described the agreement as an important part of building a new US mobile network, while saying spectrum and tower leases would be even more important. He suggested acquiring EchoStar’s remaining spectrum assets and reaching agreements with tower companies could be the quickest route, particularly given Starlink Mobile’s plans to begin deploying equipment next year.

Reports have linked SpaceX to a possible acquisition of Boost Mobile parent EchoStar. However, Boost Mobile’s existing agreements with T-Mobile and AT&T are unlikely to transfer to Starlink Mobile, according to a research note from MoffettNathanson cited by TeleCompetitor. Starlink Mobile was also recently rejected as an MVNO by major US carriers, and it remains unclear how readily it can secure tower leases. Without access to towers, the company could face the costly task of building its own ground infrastructure.

Ookla analyst Mike Dano said the Qualcomm deal increases the likelihood that Starlink Mobile could become a credible fourth nationwide mobile provider, but cautioned that the company still needs to build radios, install them on towers and launch services for paying customers. He said that process, along with the launch of necessary satellites, could take several years at minimum.

Ookla’s research on Starlink Mobile’s direct-to-device service found that it helps fill coverage gaps, but performs below terrestrial networks. Its tests found that one in seven texts on Starlink Mobile’s D2D network failed, compared with about one in fifty on terrestrial networks. Dano said Starlink Mobile will need to address that performance gap as it builds its terrestrial network.

Sources: TechRadar.