SpaceX and Charter Communications have held preliminary discussions about a mobile phone partnership, according to Fortune. The deal would allow Charter, the largest home internet provider in the United States, to route some of SpaceX's phone traffic through its extensive ground-based internet infrastructure.
If finalized, the arrangement would give Starlink's direct-to-cell service a robust terrestrial backbone, potentially improving coverage and reliability for users. For Charter, it opens an avenue into the satellite communications market without building space-based assets.
No financial terms or timeline have been disclosed. The talks remain in early stages, with both companies yet to publicly confirm any agreement.
The partnership could reshape the competitive landscape for mobile connectivity, blending satellite and ground networks. However, regulatory approvals and technical integration challenges could slow progress.
Analysts caution that such deals often face scrutiny over net neutrality and infrastructure access. Neither SpaceX nor Charter has commented beyond the report.