Executives at SpaceX have all but confirmed plans to launch a new wireless network that aims to compete against one of its partners, T-Mobile, and the country’s other two giants AT&T and Verizon. The affirmation was made on a conference call with investors this week, during which SpaceX officials said the company intends to use some of its recently-acquired spectrum from Dish Wireless parent Echostar to develop a consumer wireless offering.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell declined to say how much the company will sell its wireless service or whether it will be offered only to business or if consumers will be able to sign up. SpaceX currently offers residential and business-focused broadband Internet delivered over its fleet of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Some airliners are in the process of installing SpaceX on their passenger fleets, and a few already have service. [Reuters]