SpaceX is moving ahead with plans to build a nationwide cellular network and has selected Qualcomm to provide key technology for tens of thousands of cell sites it plans to begin deploying next year, Qualcomm said Wednesday. The companies have a multiyear agreement covering tens of thousands of traditional cellular sites, with deployment expected to begin in 2027, per Qualcomm. Qualcomm said it will provide its Dragonwing chips and foundational software for radio and baseband processing, while SpaceX will develop additional software and other elements of the network. Qualcomm executive vice president Durga Malladi told reporters the company has a high degree of confidence in SpaceX's commitment to the project, though he declined to disclose financial terms or contractual guarantees. SpaceX's ambitions likely go beyond competing for smartphone subscribers, with the company potentially targeting emerging markets for AI-powered devices and robots, and a satellite network could provide more continuous outdoor connectivity for package-delivery drones, security robots, construction robots and autonomous delivery vehicles. Joe Madden, principal analyst at Mobile Experts, estimates SpaceX will spend at least $100 billion building out its combined satellite and terrestrial wireless network, including the cost of acquiring spectrum.