SpaceX and EchoStar Discussed Wireless Service, Possible Boost Mobile Deal

The talks point to a possible convergence of satellite and terrestrial wireless, with SpaceX eyeing a route into consumer mobile via an existing carrier rather than building from scratch. That matters for the competitive balance among US wireless operators, since Boost Mobile's spectrum and subscriber base would give a satellite player a land-based foothold. The absence of terms or a timeline leaves the seriousness of the discussions unresolved. Whether these talks progress toward a formal transaction, and how regulators treat a satellite-terrestrial combination, is the open question.