Deutsche Telekom CEO says SpaceX needs $200 billion for Starlink Mobile
Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Höttges stated during a Thursday earnings call that SpaceX requires at least $200 billion to launch Starlink Mobile as a major US carrier.
Spectrum and tower costs explained
Höttges noted that while SpaceX has purchased 76 megahertz of spectrum, T-Mobile owns 400 megahertz. The CEO argued that building a network requires an additional $20 to $30 billion for antennas and infrastructure. He contrasted this with T-Mobile's existing 85,000 towers, which Musk could potentially rent rather than build.
Industry professionalization challenges
The executive described the wireless industry as a sector professionalized over the last two decades. He concluded that entering this market demands significant capital beyond just acquiring spectrum rights. Höttges ended his assessment by welcoming SpaceX to the party if they can meet these financial hurdles.
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