THE Competition with SpaceX It is extremely difficult, whether it is the rocket launcheither for the providing a satellite internet, Either to enter the new market of Direct connection of mobile phones through satellite.

By Thomas Black, Bloomberg columnist

The company of Ilon Musk It has managed to drastically reduce the cost of launching, thanks to its reusable missiles, giving Spacex an advantage that competitors cannot yet approach. This allows the company to set up a unique low -track network around the land, already numbering about 8,000 satellites.

Her subsidiary, Starlinkit has earned positive comments from users about its speed and ease of use, thanks to its small satellite receiver and WiFi router. The vertical production model, from the rocket, to home equipment, creates an almost inaccessible competitive wall.

That is why the agreement of SpaceX to spend $ 17 billion For the purchase of spectrum from Echostar caused a sensation in the telecommunications industry. This spectrum enables it to provide service directly to devices, which is difficult to compete with. In the future, the advantage will grow even more when the young Hyper-Pyralos Starship perfection the launches and returns of cargo.

Satellite services remain limited and require huge investments. In densely populated areas, optical fibers and mobile antennas are incredible at speed and price, limiting the scope of satellite access mainly to rural and remote areas. It is estimated that half a million square miles in the US are not yet covered by mobile networks.

Buying direct connection to mobile phones remains difficult to calculate as technology is evolving. GSMA estimates its value at $ 33 billion by 2035, while Novaspace at $ 13 billion by 2033. The three great players of the American mobile (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) are not particularly concerned, as satellite connections have restrictions, especially indoors and high density networks. On the contrary, SpaceX is expected to work with them, offering services without “dead zones”, with an extra charge.

The Spectrum Market Agreement hit competitors’ shares: The Ast Spacemobile fell 11%, Iridium Communications lost more than a quarter of its value, while Canadian Telesat fell 9%. OR Amazon, with project kuiper and the Blue Origin With her new New Glenn rocket, they have the difficult task of covering the difference.

The speculation is not missing that SpaceX may want to become the fourth big US mobile provider. However, the most likely scenario is partnerships with existing companies to enhance coverage and add a premium option to customer accounts.

Technology is evolving for the service to operate on existing mobile phones, with minor changes to the chipset. Starlink is already working with T-Mobile for basic services (SMS, applications) in “dead zones”, which will soon be upgraded to voice and videos.

Appleon her part, invested in Globalstar To provide satellite connectivity to its devices, however, Globalstar depends on third parties for satellites and launches, which increases its cost and makes it less competitive in SpaceX.

Europe has set Eutelsat as a “national champion” and is ready to support it financially, while China is investing massively in creating its own low -track network. The industry attracts many investors, but the final liquidation of companies can start before the service becomes widely available.