Starlink has announced that it has reached yet another subscriber milestone, this time within an essential new segment of the business.
SpaceX’s decision to expand Starlink into the maritime and aviation sectors has been a pivotal and incredibly well-executed maneuver for the business, allowing it to reach new clientele and enter segments without traditional cellular or fiber-optic-based competitors. Now, as a first showing of success in one of these industries, Starlink has announced that it now supports just over 150 cruise ships alone.
Starlink announced reaching over 150 supported cruise ships on Twitter late yesterday. The internet service provider reached this important milestone thanks to a new deal with Seabourn Cruises, which Starlink notes in its tweet.
150+ cruise ships and counting around the world are set to use Starlink, helping to make their passengers travel experience even more enjoyable ?️? https://t.co/oc2Qldufo2
— Starlink (@Starlink) May 17, 2023
As noted above, entering the maritime industry, in particular, has been a fantastic move for the fledgling internet provider. Unlike on land or even in some aviation segments, on the ocean, Starlink does not need to worry about competition with cell tower-based or fiber-optic-based competitors, which can typically offer cheaper and/or faster service than the satellite internet provider. Moreover, with each large ship being fitted with numerous receivers and served with large amounts of data, maritime clients can be far more profitable than stationary land-based counterparts.
Starlink’s success on the water follows another milestone earlier this year: the company announced that it had reached 1.5 million customers globally.
Besides growing into key new market segments, SpaceX has continued its efforts to expand internet access into global markets, including numerous countries in Africa, South and Central America, and Oceania. As areas traditionally left underserved by legacy internet providers, Starlink serves a unique role as a gateway to otherwise limited internet services.
What do you think of the article? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Shoot me an email at william@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @WilliamWritin. If you have news tips, email us at tips@teslarati.com!
Investor's Corner
Cantor Fitzgerald raises Tesla PT To $510, citing Cybercab, Semi, and AI momentum
The firm cited upcoming production milestones for the Cybercab, Semi, and Optimus as key drivers behind its revised valuation.
Cantor Fitzgerald has boosted its Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) price target from $355 to $510 per share, maintaining an “Overweight” rating over its continued confidence in the company’s long-term growth.
Analyst Andres Sheppard cited upcoming production milestones for the Cybercab, Semi, and Optimus as key drivers behind Cantor Fitzgerald’s revised valuation, as well as expanding opportunities in Tesla’s Energy and Full Self-Driving initiatives.
Major growth from multiple Tesla programs
According to Sheppard, Tesla disclosed that volume production for the Cybercab, Semi, and Megapack 3 is on track for fiscal year 2026, with Optimus production lines also targeted to launch next year. The analyst highlighted these updates as “significant,” noting that Tesla’s diverse roadmap continues to reinforce its position as a vertically integrated energy and AI company.
Cantor Fitzgerald now expects Tesla’s capital expenditures at approximately $9.2 billion for FY2025 and around $12 billion for FY 2026, a substantial increase tied to the company’s efforts to further scale its operations. The analyst noted that these investments align with Tesla’s push into robotics, autonomous driving, and energy storage.
Confidence in AI-driven expansion
Tesla shares closed at $433.72 last Friday, giving Cantor Fitzgerald’s $510 price target an implied upside of roughly 17.6%. The revised forecast reflects the firm’s expectation that Tesla’s long-term value extends far beyond vehicle sales, with strong upside from the company’s FSD, Robotaxi/Cybercab, Semi, and Optimus initiatives, as noted in a StreetInsider report.
“Overall, we remain bullish on TSLA over the medium to long term,” Sheppard wrote. “We continue to see meaningful future upside from Energy Storage & Deployment, FSD, Robotaxis/Cybercab, Semis, and Optimus Bots.”
Tesla highlighted these key initiatives in its Q3 2025 Update Letter. “We continue to evolve and augment our product lineup with a focus on cost, scale and future monetization opportunities via services powered by our AI software. Cybercab, Tesla Semi and Megapack 3 are on schedule for volume production starting in 2026,” the company wrote.
News
Tesla is ramping its hiring for Cybercab vehicle manufacturing roles
A check of the company’s Careers website shows 30 open positions tied to the Cybercab project, with 25 focused directly on vehicle manufacturing.
Tesla is accelerating preparations for its upcoming Cybercab by rapidly expanding its hiring efforts in Austin, Texas.
A check of the company’s Careers website shows 30 open positions tied to the Cybercab project, with 25 focused directly on vehicle manufacturing. The spike in listings suggests that Tesla may be gearing up for a production ramp of its fully autonomous two-seater at Giga Texas.
New Cybercab job listings
Tesla’s Careers page now features several new roles that appear crucial to the Cybercab’s buildout. Among the most recent additions are openings for Engineering Technicians for the Cybercab’s drive units, battery pack, and general assembly, as well as positions for Equipment Technicians for the vehicle’s production lines.
Earlier this month, Tesla only had three openings related to the autonomous two-seater’s manufacturing. Even then, it was already exciting as the Cybercab would be produced using Tesla’s “Unboxed” manufacturing process. This process is designed to make the Cybercab easier and quicker to produce.
Similar to previous Cybercab-related job listings, all of the openings are currently based in Austin, Texas. This suggests that for now, at least, the production of the Cybercab will really be focused on Giga Texas to start.
Ultra-fast Cybercab production targets
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has described the Cybercab as the company’s highest-volume vehicle yet, targeting an annual production rate of around 2 million units. He added that the Cybercab line will operate more like a “high-speed consumer electronics” assembly process than a conventional car factory.
“If you’ve seen the design of the Cybercab line, it doesn’t look like a normal car manufacturing line,” Musk said earlier this year. “It looks like a really high-speed consumer electronics line. In fact, the line will move so fast that actually people can’t even get close to it.”
Elon Musk
Memphis to use xAI taxes for neighborhood improvements: “Truly a blessing”
City officials confirmed that the funds will be reinvested in local neighborhoods near xAI’s Colossus supercomputer.
The City of Memphis has collected all taxes owed by Elon Musk’s xAI before the payment deadline, creating a $3.2 million special revenue fund to support communities affected by the company’s operations.
City officials confirmed that the funds will be reinvested in local neighborhoods near xAI’s Colossus supercomputer.
Directing xAI funds toward community projects
Mayor Paul Young’s administration recently outlined how the funds will be allocated. The initiative was focused on improving infrastructure and quality of life in neighborhoods impacted by xAI’s construction and operations.
Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton emphasized that the process will include public input, with surveys already distributed to residents to guide spending priorities, according to ABC24.
“With that ordinance, we are in the near future getting ready to set up the committee because this is the people’s money,” Cooper-Sutton said. “We wanna make sure that it is used for the people.”
Officials noted that they are planning to present a final proposal to the entire council after reviewing community feedback. Cooper-Sutton added that the program represents a step toward ensuring businesses operating in Memphis treat residents “fairly and with equality.”
“It is truly, truly a blessing. What we are doing here at this body and this council, we wanna make sure that whatever business that comes here, that the people are treated fairly and with equality,” she stated.
xAI partnership fuels local job opportunities
Beyond tax revenue, xAI’s growing presence is expected to bolster Memphis’ workforce development goals. Earlier this month, the artificial intelligence startup co-hosted a job fair at Crosstown Concourse with the American Job Center to connect residents with new employment pathways.
“We know that jobs are coming. We know that talent is here,” Melody Freemon, executive director of the Greater Memphis Workforce Development Board, stated. “We wanna make sure we’re not just putting people in any ole jobs. We wanna put people on a pathway to self-sustainability. We wanna put people on a pathway to self-sustainability and something they can rely on in the future.”
Freemon also noted that the Greater Memphis Workforce Development Board was able to make a favorable offer to xAI. “We promised that we can provide a pipeline. This is the central hub for connection. This is where job seekers are, so let us take the headache off of your hiring needs. Come here, let us source the people and make sure that we meet the demand,” Freeman stated.
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