Why does SPACEX do the things it does?

Rastafarian

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Aug 21, 2025
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Not sure why this is the route they are taking unless that is the only way to monetize space x. Mobile networks work great for virtually everyone. Why create a 4th? They will have to figure out direct to device and terrestrial. The first seems possible. The second seems like a lift and one that would eat away at margins. No one is going to want a phone that doesn’t work indoors.
 

fatpiggy

Heisman
Aug 18, 2002
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Not sure why this is the route they are taking unless that is the only way to monetize space x. Mobile networks work great for virtually everyone. Why create a 4th? They will have to figure out direct to device and terrestrial. The first seems possible. The second seems like a lift and one that would eat away at margins. No one is going to want a phone that doesn’t work indoors.
Why? Because they can do it at a better price. We will see I suppose.
 

Rastafarian

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Why? Because they can do it at a better price. We will see I suppose.
What is a monthly cell bill - $40? How much cheaper can it get?

space is cool and all, but I just don’t see the use cases. I wonder if they will also build their own phone because it will need specialized hardware just for starlink.
 

fatpiggy

Heisman
Aug 18, 2002
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What is a monthly cell bill - $40? How much cheaper can it get?

space is cool and all, but I just don’t see the use cases. I wonder if they will also build their own phone because it will need specialized hardware just for starlink.
My monrhly cell bill is like $400. Probably $500 Im scared to look. 4 kids will do that to you.


I don’t think they build their own phone. Elon repeatedly said he doesn’t want to.


This spectrum allows them to service indoors, it will directly compete with AT&T
 

Rastafarian

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So they have to build out a network of towers like all other networks? I remember reading in advance of the ipo how poorly positioned starlink was to compete as a mobile carrier. Doesn’t make a lot of sense to me when the market is saturated and not growing, and is viewed as a commodity.

But I guess I can see why he would do it. Starlink is the majority of revenue and 2/3 of space x launches are for starlink. He has to find a way to create more demand for launches.
 

fatpiggy

Heisman
Aug 18, 2002
27,618
26,484
113
So they have to build out a network of towers like all other networks? I remember reading in advance of the ipo how poorly positioned starlink was to compete as a mobile carrier. Doesn’t make a lot of sense to me when the market is saturated and not growing, and is viewed as a commodity.

But I guess I can see why he would do it. Starlink is the majority of revenue and 2/3 of space x launches are for starlink. He has to find a way to create more demand for launches.

If I had to guess, only in densely populated cities or for areas like tunnels. I don't know though. Maybe it's the carriage pushing the horse .... maybe Starlink is capable of delivering a lot of bandwidth and he is looking to create demand (your point above).
 
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