Starlink Passes 8 Million Customers & Gains New Spectrum, Airline Deals

SpaceX Expands Spectrum Holdings with EchoStar

SpaceX is further investing in wireless spectrum, acquiring an additional $2.6 billion worth of licenses from EchoStar. This builds upon a previously announced $17 billion agreement from September, supporting the continued growth of its Starlink satellite internet service globally.

Starlink Customer Base Surpasses 8 Million

This spectrum acquisition follows SpaceX’s recent announcement that it has exceeded 8 million Starlink subscribers worldwide. The company simultaneously secured new commercial agreements to bolster this figure.

International Airlines Group will integrate Starlink internet connectivity onto over 500 aircraft within its fleet, encompassing British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus.

Expanding Direct-to-Cell Capabilities

The newly acquired spectrum from EchoStar will primarily facilitate the expansion of Starlink’s “direct to cell” constellation. This technology initially provides satellite-based 5G internet access to T-Mobile customers.

EchoStar’s Spectrum Sales

EchoStar initiated the sale of its spectrum licenses earlier in the year, responding to pressure from the Federal Communications Commission and the prior administration. Reports indicate that former President Trump directly urged EchoStar’s CEO to divest these licenses.

The September deal with SpaceX effectively concluded EchoStar’s ambitions to develop its own direct-to-device satellite network. However, SpaceX wasn't the sole purchaser of EchoStar’s spectrum assets.

In August, EchoStar completed a separate transaction, selling $23 billion in spectrum licenses to AT&T.

Starlink Integration with International Airlines Group

The implementation of Starlink on International Airlines Group’s aircraft is scheduled to begin in 2026. The service will be available on short-haul, long-haul, and global routes, covering the vast majority of the airline’s operational fleet.

Growing Aviation Industry Adoption

Starlink’s presence in the aviation sector has been steadily increasing. It initially catered to smaller private jets in 2022, but has rapidly secured significant commercial partnerships.

Hawaiian Airlines was the first major commercial carrier to adopt Starlink. United Airlines announced a partnership in late 2024, subsequently accelerating the rollout. Qatar Airways also equipped numerous wide-body aircraft with Starlink this year.

Continued Subscriber Growth

These developments have contributed to SpaceX achieving a subscriber base of over 8 million Starlink customers across 150 countries. This represents a substantial increase from the 6 million subscribers reported in June.