Elon Musk opens door to major SpaceX telecom acquisition

SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk has opened the door for a major telecom acquisition, according to MarketWatch. The move comes as the rocket and satellite internet firm seeks to challenge established telecommunications giants by expanding its Starlink Mobile services in the United States. [1][2][6][9]

Industry executives have highlighted the massive financial commitment needed to build a competitive wireless network. The Verge tech blog reported that Tim Höttges, chief executive of T-Mobile owner Deutsche Telekom, said during an earnings call that while he takes SpaceX very seriously, launching a major wireless carrier would cost at least $200 billion. [6]

The prospective telecommunications push comes alongside operational changes and financial volatility across Musk's business empire. The BBC reported that Tesla plans to wind down Cybertruck production at its Texas plant next year to free up capacity for autonomous Cybercab vehicles. Meanwhile, Fortune reported that Musk's personal net worth fell $113 billion following political midterm elections, and MarketWatch reported that Tesla and SpaceX suffered a combined $456 billion two-day market wipeout. [3][4][7]

SpaceX completed an initial public offering in June 2026 after previously expanding its technology footprint through major deals. The company acquired artificial intelligence startup xAI for $250 billion in February 2026, later creating its Super Intelligence segment, and acquired AI coding platform Cursor for $60 billion in August 2026. [14][16]