SpaceX selected Qualcomm to supply technology for Starlink Mobile's U.S. terrestrial 5G network
SpaceX has selected Qualcomm to supply technology for Starlink Mobile’s planned nationwide U.S. terrestrial 5G network. The multiyear agreement covers Qualcomm’s Dragonwing QRU100 radio and QDU100 distributed unit platforms, plus commercial-grade Layer 1 software. SpaceX plans to begin deployment in 2027, with tens of thousands of sites planned; financial terms were not disclosed.
More context
SpaceX has selected Qualcomm to supply technology for Starlink Mobile’s planned U.S. nationwide terrestrial 5G network, a move that could position the satellite company to compete with major U.S. wireless carriers. Qualcomm said the multiyear agreement covers its Dragonwing QRU100 radio unit, QDU100 distributed unit and commercial-grade Layer 1 software. The network will use Massive MIMO radio and baseband technology, Qualcomm said. Deployment is planned to begin in 2027, with tens of thousands of sites deployed over the agreement’s term; financial terms were not disclosed. Durga Malladi, Qualcomm’s executive vice president and general manager for technology planning, edge solutions and data center, said deployment would ramp up rapidly after it begins. Michael Nicolls, Starlink’s senior vice president, said the project is intended to combine satellite and terrestrial networks.
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Reporting
- CNBC — SpaceX strikes deal with Qualcomm for mobile network infrastructure
- Demokratis — SpaceX Taps Qualcomm to Build Starlink Mobile 5G Network
- Tech Insider — Starlink 5G Rollout Math: 64T64R, 2027 Start [2026]
- Bloomberg — SpaceX Taps Qualcomm for Nationwide 5G Cell Tower Equipment Deployment - Bloomberg
- qualcomm.com — SpaceX Selects Qualcomm to Accelerate Starlink Mobile’s Nationwide 5G Network
- sebastianbarros.substack.com — Wow: STARLINK + QUALCOMM TO BUILD THEIR OWN TERRESTRIAL 5G RADIOS
- telecomtv.com — What’s up with… SpaceX & Qualcomm, SK Telecom, Jio Platforms, The Future of RAN | TelecomTV
- fierce-network.com — SpaceX’s nationwide terrestrial 5G plans get real as Qualcomm signs on
Verifier’s note
CNBC, Bloomberg, Fierce Network, and the other listed results describe SpaceX selecting Qualcomm for technology supporting Starlink Mobile’s U.S. terrestrial network, with deployment planned to begin next year. The reporting is dated November 4, 2026, consistent with the proposed event’s timing.