AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon team up to eliminate coverage dead zones
AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have agreed to work together in a new joint venture aimed at ending wireless dead zones in the United States. The partnership was announced today as a “deal in principle”, but if finalized, the three operators would pool their ground spectrum resources to increase coverage in rural areas.
The goal is to create “the best and most diverse ecosystem for wireless and satellite products and services”, although the details of how this will actually be achieved are quite vague. Mention is made of the company developing a unified technical standard for customers and satellite network operators, and investing in satellite, direct-to-device (D2D) technologies to fill coverage gaps and improve connectivity.
In its press release, AT&T indicates that existing carrier-satellite agreements will remain in effect under this proposed joint venture. “Our goal is to make it simple to get connected no matter where you are: on a rural highway, in a national park, on a boat, or in an emergency,” AT&T CEO John Stankey said in a statement. “By partnering with other carriers, we are bringing our combined expertise to accelerate our customers’ access to reliable, always-available coverage everywhere.”
The joint venture is still subject to closing conditions and negotiations between AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. However, if this comes to fruition, the result will theoretically be good for everyone. Customers should have access to stronger, more reliable connectivity in areas facing challenges with mobile service, and satellite services can more easily serve people living in areas that traditional cellular networks cannot cover.
