SpaceX Agrees to Buy Nationwide Spectrum for $8 Billion, Rattling Telecom Stocks

SpaceX has agreed to acquire Grain Management's nationwide 800 MHz low-band spectrum portfolio for roughly $8 billion in cash to support its Starlink Mobile network. The deal rattled global telecommunications equities, driving AT&T and Verizon down over 5% to 7% and Deutsche Telekom down 7% to 8% on heightened competition fears. In contrast, cell-tower operators surged, with American Tower climbing over 6% and Crown Castle surging 10.1% on expectations that SpaceX will lease tens of thousands of ground sites. Starlink Mobile targets an official launch in 2027 pending FCC regulatory approval.