An artistic rendering of an AST SpaceMobile BlueBird D2D satellite. Credit: AST SpaceMobile
TAMPA, Fla. — A planned direct-to-device (D2D) joint venture between AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon has divided operators behind the satellites needed to connect ordinary smartphones from space.
The three largest carriers in the United States said May 14 they had agreed in principle to pool spectrum resources to improve D2D services, including standardizing their approach to help rural mobile network operators reduce coverage gaps.
“By joining with other carriers, we’re bringing our combined expertise to accelerate our customers’ access to reliable, and always-on coverage everywhere,” AT&T chairman and CEO John Stankey said in a news release that was light on details amid ongoing negotiations.
AST SpaceMobile, which counts AT&T and Verizon as anchor partners for the D2D services it aims to provide this year after deploying more satellites, welcomed the move.
