My guest today is Walter Piecyk, a telecom analyst at LightShed Partners, and we’re discussing SpaceX’s plan to become a major wireless carrier. Last week, the company agreed to buy a big chunk of low-band spectrum in its bid to build “the world’s most advanced mobile network.”
So I wanted to dig into whether SpaceX can pull this off, why Walt thinks the existing telecoms have fumbled their response to Starlink’s growing threat, and what happens when Elon Musk’s rocket company jumps headfirst into a business everyone loves to hate.
Links:&nbsp;
<ul>
 <li>SpaceX announces plan to become a ‘major mobile carrier’ | <a href="https://www.theverge.com/science/1008467/spacex-announces-plan-to-become-a-major-mobile-carrier">The Verge</a></li>
 <li>SpaceX has a plan. Do the telcos? | <a href="https://lightshedtmt.com/2026/10/09/spacex-has-a-plan-do-the-telcos/">LightShed Partners</a></li>
 <li>EchoStar offloads satellite spectrum to SpaceX for $17 billion | <a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/773645/echostar-dish-spacex-starlink-direct-to-cell-fcc-investigation">The Verge</a></li>
 <li>FCC Grants SpaceX Approval for 15,000 Direct-to-Device Satellites | <a href="https://www.satellitetoday.com/connectivity/2026/10/07/fcc-grants-spacex-approval-for-15000-direct-to-device-satellites-in-mss-spectrum/">Via Satellite</a></li>
 <li>AT&T CEO says Elon Musk's SpaceX phone strategy not "viable" | <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/29/att-ceo-john-stankey-spacex-elon-musk">Axios</a></li>
 <li>SpaceX Sends Telecom Providers a Shot Across the Bow | <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-spacex-earnings-08-04-2026/card/spacex-sends-telecom-providers-a-shot-across-the-bow-c6jaPFL9yvNGBDFMtRnr">WSJ</a></li>
 <li>Verizon: No to an MVNO with Starlink | <a href="https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/verizon-no-mvno-starlink">Fierce Network</a></li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/subscribe">Subscribe to The Verge</a> to access the ad-free version of Decoder!
Credits:
Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Decoder’s producers are Greg Ott, Kate Cox, and Nick Statt. This episode was edited by Eileen Felix. Our editorial director is Kevin McShane.
The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

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