Elon Musk Says SpaceX's Starlink Is Rewriting Telecom With ‘Entirely New Pieces’ as T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon Downplay the Threat: ‘They Don't Understand’
Key takeaways
- Starlink’s aggressive expansion and Musk’s bold claims are reshaping expectations for the telecom industry, even as incumbents remain cautious.
- SPCX revenue $14.58 billion (Q3 2026)
- SPCX EPS $0.35 (Q3 2026)
- Consensus revenue $12.74 billion
What happened
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said Starlink is rewriting the telecom industry with new technology that rivals traditional carriers, while AT&T, T‑Mobile and Verizon leaders remain skeptical. Musk highlighted a recent 800 MHz spectrum win and urged investors to see Starlink’s mobile and satellite‑based network as a game‑changing force. The company’s Q3 2026 earnings topped expectations with $14.58 billion revenue and $0.35 earnings per share, and Musk projected up to $1 trillion annual recurring revenue…
Why it matters
The announcement signals a potential shift in how mobile connectivity could be delivered, challenging the incumbents’ infrastructure model. Musk’s comments may influence investor perception of SpaceX’s growth prospects and could pressure telecom stocks to reassess their competitive positioning. The earnings beat and…
Short-term and longer-term
Short-term. Over the next few days, watch for any regulatory updates on the 800 MHz spectrum and any further comments from AT&T, T‑Mobile or Verizon CEOs.
Longer-term. Over the coming months, investors should monitor Starlink’s satellite deployment pace, spectrum acquisitions, and any partnership deals with airlines or OEMs.