Unlikely partners AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have announced a joint venture that will help ensure iPhone users can get a signal even in previous cellular dead spots.
Working together for once, the companies have announced an agreement in principle to use satellite-based technologies to help reduce their gaps in coverage. They expect those in unserved and underserved communities to benefit the most.
Once up and running, the new venture should help people maintain a connection even in areas that normally have limited service. It's also hoped that the days of remote areas having no cell service will be a thing of the past.
Direct-to-device technology
Announced via a press release, the joint venture will use satellite-based, direct-to-device (D2D) technologies. T-Mobile was the first to launch the D2D tech for both text and data, the company notes, while AT&T announced similar functionality in 2024.
Apple has long given iPhone owners the ability to use satellite communications in the case of emergencies. However, it was limited to short text messages to emergency services.
In the case of this new joint venture, D2D technology will be used "when existing ground-based networks are unavailable due to extreme natural disasters or other unusual disruptions."
Notably, the announcement doesn't confirm which services (data, text, or voice) will be available via the D2D connection. It's also not clear on which devices will support the technology, given variances in cellular modems.
