SpaceX discusses buying Boost Mobile to become a mobile carrier, according to reports

Elon Musk spoke in October with Charlie Ergen, chairman of Boost Mobile's parent company EchoStar, about a deal, according to reports. SpaceX could buy the carrier or gain access to its network.

EchoStar's mobile customers

7.5 million

EchoStar has about 7.5 million customers between Boost Mobile and GenMobile. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon each have more than 100 million.

Boost does not run its own towers: it leases capacity from AT&T and T-Mobile, which may have to approve a deal. Musk had asked AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon about buying capacity on their networks, and all three said no.

Why it matters

SpaceX wants to pair its Starlink satellites with cell towers on the ground. It bought US$17 billion of wireless spectrum from EchoStar last year to help its signal reach inside buildings.