Big Three Wireless Carriers Join Forces to Improve Access to Satellite Cell Service

The nation’s “Big Three” cell phone carriers—AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile—announced on May 14 a rare joint venture (JV) designed to increase cell phone coverage and internet connectivity in underserved and remote parts of the United States.

The JV will use satellite-based technologies to fill in wireless coverage gaps, especially in rural areas, the companies said in a joint news release. Joining forces increases resources available to serve remote communities and enhances the customer experience by providing a unified platform for satellite service providers, the wireless carriers said.

Satellite connectivity is typically available as a supplement to a carrier’s core wireless backbone; however, through the JV, the carriers will provide customers with stronger wireless connectivity and increased coverage options through joint investment in satellite-based direct-to-device technologies. That forgoes signal routing through ground-based cell towers and instead employs direct connections with orbiting satellites.

“With the expansion of satellite constellations, soon to be supported by multiple space-based operators, this JV will use expanded capacity and improved performance to deliver the best possible service to customers,” said Srini Gopalan, president and CEO of T-Mobile.

“This partnership will also make it easier for satellite operators to deliver a broader range of direct-to-device experiences and help accelerate innovation across the wireless and satellite industries.”

Approval of the joint venture still depends upon the successful negotiations of definitive agreements between AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, as well as customary closing conditions, the wireless carriers stated. Each carrier’s existing contracts for satellite coverage remain unchanged, and the networks are also free to independently pursue additional connectivity initiatives, the news release stated.

Initially, the partnership increases customer options for direct-to-device access, the companies said. Increased competition for satellite service will foster greater innovation in the space as well as allow emerging technologies to be developed and launched more rapidly, they said.

“We are not just closing gaps on a map, we are building resilient digital infrastructure that meets the changing needs of our customers, no matter where life takes them,” Verizon CEO Dan Schulman said.

“This partnership gives customers more options, continues to strengthen America’s infrastructure and increases competition for satellite providers.”

T-Mobile’s T-Satellite, a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink, is currently the only option for space-to-device cell coverage. The service requires a satellite-optimized phone and eSIM capabilities, which are standard features on newer-generation phones.

AT&T and Verizon, meanwhile, have partnered with AST SpaceMobile to create a space-based broadband network. AST SpaceMobile is currently building out its satellite network and expects to launch an additional 45 low-Earth orbit satellites in 2026.

“We plan to be a key enabler of this transformation as we continue to grow our global network in low Earth orbit and expand available spectrum to our network,” AST SpaceMobile CEO Abel Avellan said.

The joint venture also follows an announcement on April 28 by T-Mobile that it had partnered with Starlink to launch super-broadband internet service using Starlink’s network of low Earth orbit satellites. The subscription service includes a 99.99 percent uptime guarantee.