Elon Musk said on Sunday that SpaceX's Starlink could eventually carry most global internet traffic if the satellite network continues to grow, outlining a future in which the system becomes the dominant backbone of online connectivity.
Musk Sees Starlink Becoming The Internet
Musk was responding on X to a post citing SpaceX filing details showing a major capacity jump for Starlink V3 satellites, from V2's 96 gigabits-per-second downlink capacity to 1,024 gigabits per second per satellite.
"There will also ultimately be >100k V3/V4/V5 satellites for Starlink broadband and direct to cellphone connectivity," Musk wrote. "If growth continues, Starlink will one day carry the majority of Internet traffic. At that point, it is the Internet and everything else just connects to Starlink."
The comments describe a scenario in which Starlink scales from a satellite broadband provider into a global communications fabric. Instead of relying mainly on local cables, traditional internet service providers and national networks, more digital traffic could move through a satellite mesh that reaches homes, aircraft, ships, mobile devices and remote regions.
V3 Satellites Could Expand Network Capacity
SpaceX has told investors it expects to begin launching Starlink V3 satellites in the second half of 2026. Its filing says Starship's payload section can carry up to 60 upgraded satellites per launch, dramatically expanding network capacity.
Musk's remarks followed SpaceX's recent letter urging the Federal Communications Commission to end the High-Cost program, which subsidizes rural broadband and voice service providers. SpaceX argued that satellite broadband has helped close the rural connectivity gap and that legacy subsidies should be reconsidered.
SpaceX Valuation Case Builds Around Starlink
The comments also come as SpaceX prepares for a possible public listing at a reported valuation between $1.75 trillion and $2 trillion. Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya argued on the All-In Podcast that SpaceX represents the infrastructure layer for the next 50 years of computing.
He pointed to Starlink as core internet infrastructure, rockets as the delivery platform, AI compute as a new layer, Musk's capital and execution flywheel, and a possible future tie-up with Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA).
Tema ETFs has made a similar argument, saying investors should view SpaceX less as a rocket company and more as "the infrastructure layer for a future space economy."
SpaceX also launched Starship V3 from Texas on Friday after a delay, with Reuters reporting the test hit most targets as the company moves toward a potentially record-breaking IPO.
Photo: Frederic Legrand – COMEO On Shutterstock.com
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