GoKawiilThe top three wireless service providers in the US are teaming up to eliminate coverage dead zones. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are forming a joint venture that will involve satellites, though the announcement is light on specifics.
Top three US carrier competitors are teaming up for satellite-based cellular coverage
AT&T says the “Joint Venture (JV) will accelerate American leadership in next-generation direct-to-device (D2D) communications by using satellite-based technologies to address coverage gaps, especially in unserved and underserved communities.”
The announcement goes on to say that the joint venture will “expand customer choice by bringing together IP and terrestrial spectrum and creating industry specifications to enable a more seamless experience for customers and satellite operators.”
The initiative specifically targets rural and underserved areas of the country. The three companies haven’t officially reached an agreement to work together, however.
The press release says that the joint venture “remains subject to negotiating definitive agreements between the parties and satisfying customary closing conditions.”
The announcement ends by stating that existing carrier-satellite agreements will be unaffected by the joint venture. You can read the announcement in full here.
So far, we’ve seen T-Mobile team up with SpaceX to bring Starlink-powered T-Satellite service to customers. T-Mobile’s satellite connectivity is offered to AT&T and Verizon subscribers as well. Starlink also offers direct-to-cell service.
Earlier this week, the Federal Communications Commission in the US approved the $40 billion sale of EchoStar spectrum to AT&T and SpaceX.