'You can't break the fundamental laws of physics': T-Mobile CFO says he's not worried about Elon Musk's cellular ambitions
T-Mobile's CFO Peter Osvaldik dismissed SpaceX's Starlink cellular ambitions as technically unfeasible in urban environments. He argued that satellite signals struggle to penetrate physical infrastructure like buildings and walls.
Why it matters
This reflects the ongoing competition between traditional terrestrial telecommunications and emerging satellite-based internet providers.
Elon Musk's SpaceX has its sights set on the cellular market. T-Mobile's CFO says he's not worried. REUTERS/Steve Nesius SpaceX wants a piece of the cellphone market, but T-Mobile's CFO is far from concerned. Peter Osvaldik said "everybody in the know" is "laughing" at parts of Starlink's plans. While Starlink satellites provide coverage in remote areas, it faces different challenges in cities. Elon Musk thinks Starlink can shake up the mobile industry, but a T-Mobile exec said its strategy should be laughed out of the room. "It's not a competitive threat from a wireless perspective at all," T-Mobile CFO Peter Osvaldik said Wednesday at Citi's 2026 Global TMT Conference.
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