SpaceX is negotiating access to at least 80,000 U.S. cellular sites as the company moves to build a nationwide wireless network capable of competing with the country's largest mobile carriers.

Crown Castle, one of the nation's major wireless infrastructure providers, is among the companies involved in discussions that could result in leasing agreements worth billions of dollars, according to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the talks.

Crown Castle CEO Chris Hillabrant addressed potential agreements with SpaceX, Amazon and other satellite communications providers during the company's earnings call Wednesday.

“You can assume that we’re talking to all parties,” Hillabrant said, declining to identify specific companies.

Investors reacted to news of the discussions Thursday, with Crown Castle shares rising as much as 10% in late trading. AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile shares each fell about 5% as the prospect of additional competition weighed on the telecommunications sector.

The negotiations represent another step in SpaceX's effort to combine its Starlink satellite network with terrestrial infrastructure to deliver mobile connectivity across the United States.

Earlier in October, SpaceX agreed to acquire U.S. cellular spectrum licenses from investment firm Grain Management in a deal reportedly valued at approximately $8 billion in cash. The Federal Communications Commission subsequently approved the deployment of 15,000 satellites capable of connecting directly to mobile phones.

“We will be building out our terrestrial networks so there’s broad-based connectivity anywhere that SpaceX and Starlink are allowed to operate,” Musk said during SpaceX's earnings call this week.

Musk said satellite launches and spectrum purchases would help establish Starlink Mobile as a major U.S. wireless carrier.

Wireless providers typically lease space on cellular towers to install antennas rather than build and maintain every structure themselves. Crown Castle, American Tower and Vertical Bridge are among the major companies that own and operate wireless tower infrastructure across the country.

Hillabrant described SpaceX's acquisition of low-band spectrum as a “huge milestone” toward providing widespread mobile coverage.

SpaceX is also considering ways to use its residential Starlink equipment to transmit mobile signals around subscribers' properties. However, research firm MoffettNathanson has warned that installations concentrated around customers' homes could leave gaps in the coverage needed for a consistent nationwide network.

American Tower declined to comment on the discussions, while SpaceX and Vertical Bridge did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The effort reflects SpaceX's broader strategy to expand beyond satellite internet and establish a direct presence in the U.S. mobile market, combining orbital connectivity, licensed spectrum, and ground-based infrastructure.