U.S. — SpaceX and Charter Communications Inc. held executive-level talks to explore a partnership focused on a consumer mobile phone offering. This potential collaboration would utilize SpaceX's satellite network and Charter's existing ground infrastructure.

Under the proposed arrangement, Charter could route some of SpaceX's phone traffic through its ground-based internet infrastructure. SpaceX has indicated to investors its intention to offer mobile service directly to consumers, according to a report by The Financial Times. SpaceX offers its Starlink Mobile service as a $10-a-month add-on through T-Mobile US Inc., which supports text messages and internet-based calls from remote areas.

SpaceX has acquired mobile spectrum rights, bidding successfully in a recent Federal Communications Commission auction for spectrum in the AWS-3 band. Last year, the company also purchased mobile spectrum rights from EchoStar Corp. Charter Communications Inc. declined to comment on the discussions, and SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment regarding the talks.

Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX, stated, "But I think the numbers of users of Starlink Mobile will far exceed our Starlink broadband." She added, "Not everybody is going to need broadband, a Starlink broadband, in their homes." Charter, which offers wireless phone service to its cable and home internet customers under its Spectrum Mobile brand, routes much of this mobile traffic through its Wi-Fi networks. The Spectrum Mobile service relies on infrastructure-rental agreements with T-Mobile and Verizon Communications Inc. Last year, Charter agreed to combine with Cox Communications, a move that increased Charter's subscriber base by over 20%. SpaceX currently generates the largest share of its profits from its satellite-based Starlink home internet service.