SpaceX has signed a multi-year agreement with Qualcomm Technologies to build out Starlink Mobile’s U.S. cellular network, with deployment expected to begin in 2027 and eventually cover tens of thousands of sites.

Qualcomm will supply Dragonwing QRU100 radio units, QDU100 processing platforms and core wireless software, including 64T64R Massive MIMO technology designed to boost capacity and coverage while lowering energy use and operating costs.

The network is planned to launch with 5G and provide a path toward 6G, using 2 GHz Massive MIMO radios with 64 transmit and receive paths.

Starlink senior vice president Michael Nicolls said Qualcomm’s technology would accelerate the company’s base-station work as it develops a nationwide network combining satellite and terrestrial connectivity.

Although deployment is expected to start in 2027, the companies have not detailed the schedule or said how many sites will be operating in the first phase; nationwide service will take time.

SpaceX has not named tower partners or disclosed how many new sites it will need, while established carriers commonly lease tower space from companies such as American Tower and Crown Castle.

Telecoms analyst Tim Farrar said the Qualcomm partnership matters, but access to spectrum and tower leases will be even more important to making the network work.

The rollout also depends on construction, site access, spectrum rights, investment and other operational requirements, and the companies have not published independent performance results.

Starlink’s spectrum holdings would remain much smaller than those of established mobile competitors, some of its spectrum is uplink-only, and current direct-to-device texting and regulatory hurdles present further challenges.

SpaceX said it had agreed to buy licenses for 800 MHz spectrum for low-band coverage, which can improve signal penetration indoors and through obstacles, while its global 2 GHz mid-band spectrum is intended to provide U.S. capacity.

The project could help Starlink become a nationwide mobile provider without relying on Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile, but analysts say it still has substantial work ahead before it can serve paying customers or compete effectively.

The stakes are significant for SpaceX: Starlink generated 36% of the company’s revenue and 85% of its operating profit in the third quarter of 2026, even though its current direct-to-device service cannot match competitors’ full voice, video and data coverage on popular smartphones.