T-Mobile tells SpaceX there's no room for an MVNO deal

T-Mobile isn’t interested in turning SpaceX into a wireless partner, and CEO Srini Gopalan isn’t exactly being subtle about it.

While Starlink has larger aspirations to branch into mobile connectivity, the carrier says a deeper partnership would add little value to its business.Speaking during T-Mobile's third-quarter 2026 earnings call, Gopalan reiterated that the company has no plans to enter a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) agreement with SpaceX.

Such a deal would let SpaceX offer wireless services on top of T-Mobile's existing cell network, paving an easier route into the U.S.

mobile market for the satellite company.Gopalan said T-Mobile evaluates potential MVNO partnerships based on whether they open up new addressable markets, distribution channels, or capabilities.

He doesn't believe a SpaceX deal will accomplish any of those things.

The company would still consider a straight commercial or resale arrangement, but that’s a very different proposition to providing SpaceX access through an MVNO deal.T-Mobile thinks satellite has some catching up to doThe main problem is that T-Mobile doesn’t see satellite connectivity as a big alternative to its current broadband services.

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