SAN DIEGO, CA, Nov 9, 2026 – Qualcomm has announced that SpaceX has selected Qualcomm Dragonwing cellular infrastructure platforms for Starlink Mobile‘s terrestrial 5G network in the United States. The network will use QRU100 and QDU100 platforms, along with commercial-grade Layer 1 software, to support Massive MIMO radio and baseband processing for cellular base stations.
Starlink Mobile will use Massive MIMO radio units with 64 transmit and 64 receive paths (64T64R). According to Qualcomm, this architecture is designed to improve network coverage, capacity and spectral efficiency while handling higher traffic volumes.
The QRU100 platform provides integrated processing for Massive MIMO radio units, supporting the radio functions required for the 64T64R architecture. The QDU100 platform provides high-performance, energy-efficient and latency-sensitive Layer 1 processing for distributed units. The two platforms are designed to improve performance per watt across radio and distributed-unit processing, which could improve network deployment economics at scale.
“Building a nationwide network demands high performance and power efficiency at every site. Dragonwing Cellular Infrastructure platforms bring together advanced Massive MIMO, purpose-built processing and commercial-grade Layer 1 software to help Starlink deliver an exceptional nationwide network,” said Durga Malladi, EVP & GM, technology planning, edge solutions, and data center, Qualcomm Technologies. “Together with SpaceX, we are building world-leading cellular infrastructure in the United States, advancing 5G today, with an opportunity to lay the foundation for AI-native 6G in the years ahead.”
“We shouldn’t live in a time where phone calls are still dropping whether you’re at home or on-the-go. Starlink is building the first fully-integrated nationwide satellite and terrestrial network that will keep people connected no matter where they are. We’re excited to collaborate with Qualcomm Technologies and leverage their industry expertise and platform to accelerate our timeline to develop our base station end-to-end architecture,” said Michael Nicolls, senior vice president of Starlink.
Network Deployment and Future Development
Starlink Mobile plans to use Qualcomm Dragonwing-powered radio units as building blocks for a multi-band network deployed across multiple phases. Although the deployment focuses on terrestrial 5G, the platforms’ energy-efficient processing and open architecture provide a foundation for future connectivity and intelligence. The collaboration also represents a commercial step toward SpaceX and Qualcomm’s vision for AI-native 6G infrastructure.
Source: Qualcomm
About Qualcomm Technologies
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc., is an American semiconductor and wireless technology company headquartered in San Diego, CA. Established in 1985, the company specializes in designing and supplying integrated circuits and system software for wireless telecommunications. Its product portfolio includes Snapdragon processors, modems, and platforms utilized in smartphones, automotive systems, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and industrial equipment. Qualcomm operates primarily through two segments: Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT), which focuses on semiconductor products, and Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL), which manages its patent portfolio. The company serves a global clientele across various industries, including mobile, automotive, computing, and industrial sectors, leveraging its expertise in 5G, AI and low-power computing to drive innovation and connectivity worldwide.
About SpaceX
SpaceX, formally Space Exploration Technologies Corp., designs, manufactures and launches rockets and spacecraft. Its fleet includes Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets and the Dragon spacecraft; it is developing Starship, a reusable heavy-lift system. The company also operates Starlink, a global satellite internet network serving residential, enterprise, mobility, maritime and aviation users. Founded in 2002, SpaceX provides launch services, human spaceflight, cargo transport and satellite connectivity for U.S. government and national-security customers, commercial satellite operators and consumers worldwide. The company is headquartered in Hawthorne, CA, with operations in TX and FL. Production in Hawthorne covers engines, stages and spacecraft assembly; testing is centered in McGregor, TX, and mission operations span multiple launch ranges.
