Elon Musk's SpaceX Wants to Take On AT&T, T-Mobile — But Both Carriers Could Cut Off Boost Mobile: Report

AT&T and T-Mobile may cut Boost Mobile's network access if SpaceX buys it, complicating Musk's plans to disrupt the U.S. wireless market.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) and T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS) could cut off Boost Mobile’s access to their wireless networks if Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) acquires the prepaid carrier, potentially complicating the billionaire’s plans to challenge America’s largest telecommunications companies.

SpaceX’s Boost Acquisition Faces Network Access Hurdles

Semafor reporter Rohan Goswami reported on X Thursday that executives at both companies "have separately discussed" removing Boost from their networks, citing people familiar with the discussions. The reported deliberations do not establish that either carrier has decided to terminate its agreements.

AT&T, T-Mobile will kick Boost Mobile off their spectrum if Musk moves forward with Boost takeover — sources. Executives at both companies have separately discussed. @semafor $T $TMUS $ECHO $SPCX
— Rohan Goswami (@rogoswami) November 5, 2026

AT&T, T-Mobile and SpaceX did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for a comment.

The Washington Post reported earlier this week that SpaceX had discussed acquiring Boost or accessing its network through parent company EchoStar Corp. (NASDAQ:ECHO). Musk reportedly met EchoStar Chairman Charlie Ergen in October to discuss the potential arrangement.

Boost relies on capacity leased from AT&T and T-Mobile rather than operating its own nationwide infrastructure. Existing agreements may require carrier approval before transferring to another owner, making the reported opposition a significant obstacle. EchoStar reported 7.19 million wireless subscribers across its Boost Mobile and Gen Mobile brands as of Sept. 30, down from 7.38 million at the end of the second quarter.

Musk Pursues Nationwide Wireless Network Expansion

SpaceX has already secured multibillion-dollar spectrum agreements with EchoStar and other sellers. EchoStar’s November 2026 regulatory filing valued its amended SpaceX spectrum transaction at approximately $20 billion, with final closing targeted for November 2027.

Reuters reported last month that SpaceX was seeking access to at least 80,000 American cell sites, including potential agreements with Crown Castle. The development pressured telecom stocks, reflecting concerns about intensified competition.

Telecom Executives Warn Of Massive Costs

Telecommunications expert William Webb previously estimated that SpaceX could need another $120 billion to $130 billion to approach established carriers’ capabilities.

Meanwhile, Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Höttges told reporters Thursday, according to Reuters, "We have to assume that it is coming." He warned that investors already anticipated weaker profitability among existing operators as SpaceX expanded.

Musk has suggested building a competitive carrier could take "2 or 3 years," challenging Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) CEO Dan Schulman’s longer four-to-six-year estimate. However, SpaceX has yet to secure the nationwide infrastructure needed to compete directly with established networks.

Photo courtesy: Samuel Boivin / Shutterstock.com