AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have announced plans to partner on a new joint venture with the goal of ending wireless dead zones in the U.S., including in rural areas. They’ll do that by pooling limited spectrum resources to boost capacity, improve the customer experience, and help satellite providers reach more customers through a unified platform, AT&T said.

By using satellite-based technologies to address coverage gaps—especially in unserved and underserved communities—the partners aim to improve convenience for their customers, allow for more competition, and nurture innovation and growth within the industry, the companies said. Details of the JV agreement still need to be negotiated between the parties, and customary closing conditions must be satisfied, AT&T noted. 

AT&T Chairman and CEO John Stankey said his company’s goal “is to make staying connected simple, no matter where you are—on a rural highway, in a national park, on a boat, or during an emergency.”

“By joining with other carriers, we’re bringing our combined expertise to accelerate our customers’ access to reliable, and always-on coverage everywhere,” Stankey added in a statement. “This collaboration not only makes connectivity easier; it strengthens America’s communications leadership.”

Boosting services and innovation

Rural and remote customers and the mobile network operators that serve them would benefit greatly from the initiative, due to improved connectivity and access to new products, the partners said.

“Having launched the first nationwide, satellite-powered direct-to-device network for text and data, we’ve seen firsthand how critical reliable connectivity can be when America needs it most,” Srini Gopalan, president and CEO of T-Mobile, said in the statement. “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.”

Gopalan also noted that the partnership would allow satellite operators to offer “a broader range of direct-to-device experiences” and would speed innovation in the wireless and satellite industries.

“Together, we’re aiming to advance a future where America stays connected in more places, with fewer dead zones and greater access to the products and experiences people rely on every day,” he said, 

Land-based mobile networks will continue to provide the high-quality experience customers expect every day with more reliable connectivity via satellites, AT&T said. Once finalized, in areas where traditional cell service is difficult, the JV would work to deliver stronger, even more reliable connectivity and greater choice to customers. 

“Customers’ daily lives depend on our services. To thrive in today’s world, staying connected is essential,” said Verizon CEO Dan Schulman. “We’re not just closing gaps on a map, we’re building resilient digital infrastructure that meets the changing needs of our customers, no matter where life takes them. This partnership gives customers more options, continues to strengthen America’s infrastructure and increases competition for satellite providers.”

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