According to Woofun AI, SpaceX (SPCX) CEO Elon Musk described the company's acquisition of the 800 MHz band as an "earthquake"-level event in the U.S. satellite mobile communications sector, marking the completion of a key piece in building a nationwide mobile signal coverage network.

This strategic positioning quickly triggered a chain reaction in capital markets, with the defensive logic of traditional telecom giants facing severe challenges.

On social platform X, Musk cited the view of Tesla (TSLA) investor Sawyer Merritt, emphasizing that the low-band spectrum can achieve "better indoor signal coverage" and penetrate obstacles such as walls.

In response to questions from Social Capital founder Chamath Palihapitiya, Musk replied that while ordinary observers may underestimate the matter, those in the know understand this is a turning point in the spectrum battle.

On the technical front, SpaceX has acquired a total of 14 MHz of paired spectrum from Grain Management, aimed at complementing its existing 2 GHz spectrum to solve Starlink Mobile's indoor connectivity challenges.

On the regulatory side, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission authorized SpaceX on Tuesday to deploy 15,000 Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) devices without paying leasing fees to ground operators.

However, AT&T Inc (T) CEO John Stankey holds a negative view, pointing out that the technology still relies on femtocells to improve indoor coverage and faces regulatory hurdles, making it highly unlikely for SpaceX to launch mobile communication services.

This divergence in technological approaches is essentially a head-on collision between two infrastructure models: satellite direct-to-device and ground-based base stations.

The market voted with real money, with the telecom sector suffering heavy losses while SpaceX bucked the trend.

Data compiled by Woofun AI shows that AT&T shares plunged 6.59% after hours to $23.23, despite having risen 1.63% at the close of the trading day; Verizon Communications Inc (VZ) fell 5.70% after hours to $43.71; T-Mobile US Inc (TMUS) dropped 6.10% after hours to $160.86.

In contrast, SPCX shares rose 3.11% after hours to $165.57.

Deepwater Asset Management co-founder Gene Munster noted that vertically integrated smartphones equipped with Starlink functionality may be on the horizon, and their cost advantages in features and services would pose a direct competitive threat to Apple (AAPL) and Samsung Electronics.

Even though Musk denied claims that a smartphone is imminent, the market has clearly positioned SpaceX as a potential disruptor in the hardware ecosystem, and this expectation gap has led to a rapid shift of capital from traditional telecom stocks to satellite technology stocks.

From a long-term perspective, the Starlink plan is attempting to restructure the market boundaries of U.S. telecom operators through vertical integration of spectrum resources.

Acquiring low-band spectrum not only solves the physical bottleneck of signal penetration but also establishes regulatory legitimacy for operating independently of ground networks.

Although traditional operators are pushing back on grounds of technological limitations and regulatory barriers, the dramatic volatility in capital markets indicates that investors have begun reassessing the potential of satellite mobile communications to replace traditional cellular networks.

With the deployment of 15,000 MSS devices advancing and potential competition from smart terminals, the competitive landscape of the U.S. telecom market is evolving from a simple ground coverage battle into a multi-dimensional contest integrating space, air, and ground networks.