SpaceX NASDAQ:SPCX and internet provider Charter Communications NASDAQ:CHTR have held executive-level talks about partnering on a consumer mobile phone offering in the United States, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing sources.
Charter Communications declined to comment to Reuters. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside office hours.
SpaceX already offers direct-to-cell connectivity with T-Mobile in the U.S., providing supplemental coverage from space to extend internet access to remote areas.
Charter could run some of SpaceX's phone traffic through its ground-based internet infrastructure, the report said.
SpaceX has told investors it plans to launch a Starlink mobile service for U.S. consumers, the Financial Times reported earlier on Friday, which could allow the Elon Musk-led company to compete directly with Verizon NYSE:VZ, AT&T NYSE:T and T-Mobile NASDAQ:TMUS.