SpaceX has purchased an additional $2.6 billion in wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar, expanding a prior $17 billion deal, as Starlink reached 8 million global customers and secured new airline contracts.
The spectrum acquisition occurred one day after SpaceX announced surpassing 8 million global customers. International Airlines Group confirmed it would install Starlink inflight internet on more than 500 aircraft across its portfolio, including British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus.
The newly acquired EchoStar spectrum will support the expansion of Starlink’s “direct to cell” constellation, initially providing T-Mobile customers with satellite-based 5G internet.
EchoStar began divesting its spectrum licenses earlier this year following pressure from the Federal Communications Commission and the Trump administration. Bloomberg reported that Trump personally instructed EchoStar’s CEO to sell the licenses.
The September sale to SpaceX effectively terminated EchoStar’s plans to develop its own direct-to-device satellite constellation. SpaceX is not EchoStar’s sole spectrum buyer; the company sold $23 billion worth of spectrum licenses to AT&T in August.
The agreement with International Airlines Group will see Starlink integration on aircraft commencing in 2026. The European group intends to deploy Starlink on short-haul, long-haul, and global routes, encompassing all planes not scheduled for retirement, according to a press release.
Starlink’s presence in the aviation sector has grown since 2022, when it began with smaller jets and private planes. Subsequently, Hawaiian Airlines became the first commercial partner. United Airlines announced an integration deal for late 2024, accelerating its rollout earlier this year. Qatar Airways equipped numerous wide-body planes with Starlink this year.
These developments have contributed to Starlink’s customer base exceeding 8 million across 150 countries, an increase from 6 million in June.
