Major US Carriers Join Forces to Improve Satellite Service for Phones
Today, 11:24 AM by Rich Brome @rbrome.bsky.social
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have agreed to form a new joint venture focused on improving direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity in cellular dead zones. All three carriers already have such services in operation or close to launch, and those efforts will continue independently. The new venture will aim to "[pool] limited spectrum resources to increase capacity", provide "redundant connectivity" when existing ground-based networks are unavailable, and give customers "simpler access to satellite services". As a first step, "provider options will expand". The joint venture does not seem to aim to launch its own service, but rather "more satellite service providers will gain opportunities to compete, invest, and grow". The companies promise a "standards-based approach" in cooperation with mobile OS providers, phone makers, and app developers. The new joint venture could be seen as a way for US carriers to wrestle back some degree of power and control over D2D satellite service. Apple and Google have launched their own, brand-specific D2D services, independent of the carriers. AT&T and Verizon are reliant on AST SpaceMobile for their forthcoming D2D service. T-Mobile has partnered with SpaceX for its Starlink D2D service using T-Mobile spectrum. SpaceX recently purchased its own radio spectrum to expand its D2D service, although it's unclear what shape that service might take.
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