Steel In The Air, Inc

10/23/2026

So yesterday, Nick Del Deo of MoffettNathanson and I held a webinar on where we thought Starlink Mobile was heading and what would be required. Even in the most optimistic view, we both felt that any terrestrial-based network wouldn't need as many cell sites as the big 3 wireless carriers (~75K each). Lo and behold, within hours of our webinar, Bloomberg reported that "people familiar with the matter" said Crown Castle and potentially other tower companies were in talks with Starlink to lease up to 80K sites. (ATC and CCI each have ~40K sites- there is no chance that Starlink leases all of them)

To be candid, it still doesn't make sense. Why would Starlink Mobile need 80,000 sites if D2D (Direct to Device) can provide what they claim is acceptable service to mobile phones outside? 80,000 sites require substantially more capex, opex, and subscribers. For what? To take a share of the $40/month carriers charge their subscribers, on average? And why would Starlink need to deploy traditional coverage sites in rural areas?

And why did SpaceX previously allude in earnings calls to not needing to build a terrestrial network because they could use femtocells on rooftops? What suddenly changed yesterday?

I hope Starlink is serious about 80,000 sites; it's good for consumers, good for the tower industry, bad for the carriers, and good for landowners/building owners. But it seems like exactly what I would do if I wanted to pressure the Big 3 and force one to sign an MVNO deal, too. The discussion is free, the leak to Bloomberg is free, and the impact on the industry is huge.

Perhaps Musk watched the webinar? 😀

(Not written by AI in any way- graphic generated by AI)

10/22/2026

Something we've been saying since the news broke out.

Listen to the full webinar: https://bit.ly/4hvdnWU

10/21/2026

This is your last chance to register before tomorrow’s webinar.

“How Starlink’s acquisition of 800 MHz spectrum impacts towers and leases” goes live Thursday at 3pm ET with Ken Schmidt and Nick Del Deo of MoffettNathanson Research.

They’ll look at Starlink Mobile’s 800MHz purchase, the market’s split reaction, and what Starlink may be building.

It’s free to attend. Registration link in the first comment.

10/20/2026

Join our newsletter to get exclusive access to in-depth wireless analysis, breaking industry news, trends, and reports 👉 https://bit.ly/3LP5w9i

10/16/2026

Tuesday, October 20, 3pm ET: Ken Schmidt and Nick Del Deo of MoffettNathanson Research return for round two on Starlink Mobile.

What attendees will take away:
→ A clear read on whether the carrier and tower stock moves are justified
→ What Starlink Mobile’s 800MHz purchase signals about its plans
→ A middle-ground view between “full carrier” and “nothing”
→ Answers to their own questions in a short live Q&A

It’s free. Registration link in the first comment.

10/15/2026

Join us for “How Starlink’s acquisition of 800 MHz spectrum impacts towers and leases” a free webinar with Ken Schmidt and Nick Del Deo of MoffettNathanson Research on Tuesday, October 20 at 3pm ET.

In August, they asked whether Starlink’s wireless plan is a real threat to cell towers. Since then, Starlink Mobile has bought 800MHz spectrum, carrier stocks have fallen, and tower stocks have risen.

On the agenda:
→ What the 800MHz purchase says about Starlink Mobile’s intentions
→ Whether the carrier sell-off and the tower rally are justified
→ Phone service, broadband, or a global platform for AI and IoT?
→ Starlink as a second plan on your phone, and what that would mean for carriers

A short live Q&A follows.

Registration link in the first comment.

10/14/2026

Looks like the landowner who contacted us isn't alone in requesting that Crown Castle clean up it sites and feeling that he was being ignored.

Local TV news report in Portsmouth, VA alleging that Crown Castle has failed to clean up a tower site where Crown Castle owns the entire parcel: https://bit.ly/4dpw38a

👉 https://bit.ly/473wphe

A landowner contacted Crown Castle over 6 months ago- seeking to get them to come out and do maintenance at their tower site- alleging that their is substantial overgrown brush that constitutes a fire hazard. He represents that Crown Castle has told him that they are unable to get anyone out there b...

10/08/2026

What do you think?

Subscribe to our newsletter to listen to the full webinar: https://bit.ly/4hvdnWU

10/07/2026

A landowner contacted Crown Castle over 6 months ago - seeking to get them to come out and do maintenance at their tower site - alleging that their is substantial overgrown brush that constitutes a fire hazard. He represents that Crown Castle has told him that they are unable to get anyone out there because they laid off all their site managers. Is this true? Does CCI no longer have site managers that can visit sites? Even if they don't, what prevents them from sending a hired crew out to do the work?

Whatever the case, we advised him to send a formal notice of breach so that he can start the clock ticking on the repairs.

(Not real tower or brush - AI generated)

10/05/2026

Looks like the FCC has proposed rulemaking to revise what infrastructure or actions require NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) review. Essentially, they are removing one of the time consuming and expensive components to getting approval for new towers.

Two immediate takeaways:

1) this will seemingly discourage tower owners from filing Antenna Structure Registrations for towers under 200’ and that aren’t near airports

2) satellite ground facilities and space operation facilities would avoid NEPA review

FCC draft order would limit NEPA review for many wireless and satellite projects, with ASR, RF, ESA, and Section 106 duties remaining.