SpaceX’s Starlink secures more spectrum and airlines as it passes 8 million customers

SpaceX has announced a significant investment of $2.6 billion to acquire additional wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar, further extending a previous $17 billion agreement made in September. This move coincides with the company revealing that its satellite internet service, Starlink, has now surpassed 8 million customers worldwide. In a remarkable development, SpaceX secured new commercial contracts, including a major deal with International Airlines Group. This partnership will see Starlink installed on over 500 aircraft, which includes renowned airlines such as British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus. The newly acquired EchoStar spectrum is intended to enhance Starlink’s emerging 'direct to cell' satellite constellation, enabling T-Mobile customers to access satellite-based 5G internet. Earlier this year, EchoStar began selling its spectrum licenses under pressure from the Federal Communications Commission and directives from the previous administration. Notably, the sale of licenses to SpaceX in September effectively curtailed EchoStar’s ambitions to develop its own direct-to-device satellite network. Interestingly, SpaceX is not the only entity interested in EchoStar’s spectrum; AT&T also acquired $23 billion worth of licenses in August. The agreement with International Airlines Group will allow Starlink to be implemented on various aircraft starting in 2026, covering short-haul, long-haul, and international routes—essentially all planes not scheduled for retirement. Starlink has gradually made its way into the aviation sector over the past few years. It began by serving smaller jets and private planes in 2022, but has since formed substantial partnerships with major airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines as the first to adopt the service. United Airlines is set to integrate Starlink into its operations by late 2024, while Qatar Airways has equipped numerous wide-body planes with Starlink this year. This rapid expansion has significantly contributed to SpaceX’s growth, allowing it to achieve over 8 million subscribers across 150 countries, a notable increase from 6 million in June.