T-Mobile US CEO Srini Gopalan played down the competitive risk from Elon Musk’s planned Starlink Mobile service, arguing that consumers have little reason to abandon established wireless operators for a new cellular offering. Gopalan told the Financial Times that the market gap Starlink is trying to address is unclear and said its differentiation is not a broad network, underscoring his view that satellite connectivity will remain complementary to traditional terrestrial networks. SpaceX is nevertheless pressing deeper into mobile communications. SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said the company wants Starlink to become "a true mobile service" and expects to win customers from T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. Reuters reported earlier this week that SpaceX bought 65 MHz of EchoStar spectrum (airwaves used for wireless signals) for $19.6 billion through two deals, while Musk said Starlink’s planned terrestrial network would probably deliver better connectivity and higher bandwidth than current cellular providers. Shotwell said Starlink Mobile satellites are due to launch next year, with service expected by the end of 2027. Analysts remain skeptical that SpaceX can match incumbent operators’ networks. New Street Research analyst David Barden told Reuters that reproducing systems built over three decades with about 1,000 MHz of spectrum using only 65 MHz "makes no sense." T-Mobile already works with Starlink through T-Satellite, which connects compatible phones beyond conventional cellular coverage, and the FCC (U.S. communications regulator) has authorized SpaceX to provide supplemental coverage using T-Mobile spectrum. The regulator also approved 7,500 additional Gen2 satellites in January to support enhanced mobile connectivity. T-Mobile has expanded that tie-up with products including SuperBroadband, launched in April for remote businesses, and T-Satellite support for apps such as WhatsApp, Google Maps and X in dead zones. Separately, T-Mobile said it added 277,000 postpaid net accounts in the second quarter of 2026, above consensus estimates but down 13% from a year earlier. The company expects roughly 250,000 postpaid net account additions in the third quarter as it moves users to newer, higher-priced plans, with about 60% of new customers choosing its most premium offerings. Gopalan said investors underestimate how much growth remains in the business and added that T-Mobile is "ridiculously undervalued right now." T-Mobile shares were down 0.19% at $179.62 in pre-market trading on Friday.