SpaceX's Starlink Mobile to use Qualcomm to build terrestrial network

SpaceX's Starlink has awarded Qualcomm a multi-year deal to power a network of terrestrial base stations with deployments starting in 2027.

According to Qualcomm, Starlink will deploy its Dragonwing Cellular Infrastructure platforms to create a US base station network that'll support a mobile rollout. The deal covers "tens of thousands" of sites and gives Starlink the ability to combine its satellite with a terrestrial network.

Qualcomm's Dragonwing platform features Dragonwing QRU100 and QDU100 processors, commercial-grade Layer 1 software and power-efficiency.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk spent a lot of the company's most recent earnings call talking about Starlink's mobile ambitions. The effort is about mobile service as well as last mile AI connectivity.

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Qualcomm said the collaboration initially provides 5G service but the deal with Starlink "represents a commercial step toward SpaceX and Qualcomm Technologies’ broader vision for AI-native 6G infrastructure."

Details include:

• Starlink Mobile will use Massive MIMO radio units with 64 transmit and 64 receive paths.
• The architecture is designed to improve coverage and be efficient with spectrum.
• Qualcomm's Dragonwing QRU100 platform provides highly integrated processing for Massive MIMO radio units. The Dragonwing QDU100 platform provides high-performance, efficient, latency-sensitive Layer 1 processing.