SpaceX's spectrum deal knocks telecom shares, with Deutsche Telekom down 7%
Reuters and Bloomberg reported on 9 October that US and European telecom shares fell after SpaceX agreed a deal on radio spectrum, the airwaves used for mobile coverage. Reuters said Deutsche Telekom's shares fell 7%. Earlier reports said SpaceX is buying low-band spectrum licences for phone coverage. Investors worry that a satellite company entering the mobile market will compete with the operators.
Mobile operators earn money from owning coverage and spectrum. A new rival with its own satellites could erode that advantage.
More competition could in time mean better coverage in remote areas. No change to UK mobile plans has been announced.
Watch whether UK-listed operators are asked to respond, and whether regulators set terms for satellite-to-phone services.
DailyDrop U.K. edition No. 6 · Morning · SAT., OCT. 10, 2026