SpaceX in talks to buy Boost Mobile, network assets

SpaceX is reportedly in discussions with EchoStar to buy Boost Mobile or snap up its network assets for the space player’s proposed direct-to-device (D2D) service.

The Washington Post (WP) reported SpaceX CEO Elon Musk personally discussed the deal with EchoStar co-founder and chair Charlie Ergen last month.

On the network side, the arrangement would give SpaceX terrestrial assets to work in tandem with its LEO satellites which are part of its Starlink Mobile service.

Boost Mobile, the mobile brand which was operated by Dish Network, maintains MVNO agreements with SpaceX rivals AT&T and T-Mobile US, although it primarily relies on AT&T for its network coverage.

WP reported SpaceX may need consent from T-Mobile and AT&T to complete the deal as Boost Mobile’s existing network-leasing agreements may not be transferable to a new owner without ?their approval.

In 2025, SpaceX agreed to buy EchoStar’s AWS-4 and H-block spectrum licences for $17 billion, which gave Ergen’s company shares in the space player.

EchoStar also agreed to sell its unpaired AWS-3 licences for approximately $2.6 billion in SpaceX stock.

Analyst views
“I’m not sure why this is pitched as SpaceX buying Boost, which the MNOs would try to veto. Clearly SpaceX wants the underlying Dish Wireless network,” Tim Farrar, president of TMF Associates, said on X. “My assumption is that Boost is spun off to CONX, unclear if that has change of control implications?”

Farrar suggested SpaceX could agree to buy all of EchoStar and challenge the mobile operators in court if they tried to block the transfer of Boost’s MVNO agreements, while keeping a Boost spin-off as a fallback.

LightShed Partners analyst Walter Piecyk stated he does not see SpaceX building its wireless strategy around Boost Mobile, “whether owned or otherwise”.

“It has time to address its coverage challenges, and we expect the solution to be driven by technological innovation and vertical integration,” said Piecyk of SpaceX’s D2D service.

Boost notably already has an agreement to bring Starlink’s next-generation direct-to-cell service to its customers.

“That relationship could expand to include bundled Starlink home broadband, but Boost would be just one of many distribution partners for Starlink,” he added.

The arrangement is also clouded by EchoStar’s debt tied to tower lease agreements. EchoStar invoked force majeure to argue it was released from its long-term master lease obligations, and its Dish Wireless subsidiary defaulted on payments to Crown Castle, American Tower and SBA Communications. Each has filed a lawsuit.