Verizon CEO: SpaceX Mobile is a 'sixth' player

Verizon CEO Dan Schulman has expressed skepticism about SpaceX's aspirations to become a major US mobile carrier through Starlink Mobile. He estimates that building out the necessary network infrastructure will require an investment of hundreds of billions of dollars and take between four to six years.

Schulman predicts that even after this extensive development, SpaceX's network will offer capabilities and cost structures comparable to existing carriers. He foresees SpaceX emerging as the sixth-largest competitor in the US market, rather than the fourth, and stated Verizon is prepared to compete ferociously.

While SpaceX aims for nationwide coverage by early 2028, utilizing satellites and cell towers, Schulman dismissed any possibility of a partnership through an MVNO agreement. He noted that within the industry, SpaceX's plans are well-understood, but emphasized Verizon's own technological advancements will leave them generations ahead.

Despite these criticisms, the FCC is establishing a regulatory framework to encourage SpaceX's entry, expecting increased consumer competition. SpaceX, however, remains optimistic, projecting significant future revenue from its connectivity ventures.