Apple iPhones Gain True Network Redundancy As AT&T, T-Mobile, And Verizon Bury The Hatchet To Form A Satellite Coalition
Publish Date: 2026-05-14 12:59:00
Source Domain: wccftech.com
Apple iPhones will soon be able to stay connected throughout the continental US, and not just via Globalstar’s limited ‘Emergency SOS’ service, as all three major carriers have now reached a landmark agreement to eliminate network dead zones by leveraging Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite-based connectivity.
Apple iPhones to benefit as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon form a JV to eliminate dead zones via satellites
As mentioned earlier, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have now formed a joint venture that will leverage satellite-based D2D connectivity to “address coverage gaps, especially in unserved and underserved communities.”
Through this JV, the three carriers will make coordinated investments to rapidly expand D2D satellite coverage, allowing customers with supported phones, including the Apple iPhone, to experience seamless connectivity.
The Big Three carriers forming a JV for satellite D2D is a defensive play IMO. T-Mobile already runs D2D with Starlink. AT&T and Verizon have AST SpaceMobile partnerships. They were missing a unified position keeping satellite providers from reaching customers directly.
Pooling… https://t.co/sTmTqczoK6
— Carolina Milanesi (@caro_milanesi) May 14, 2026
Of course, some believe this is a defensive play, meant to protect the carriers’ current turf, and an attempt to dictate how satellite connectivity unfurls throughout the US.
Verizon’s CEO noted in the press release:
“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.”
Do note that Apple currently uses Globalstar’s satellite connectivity for its ‘Emergency SOS’ and Roadside Assistance services, which allow users (iPhone 14 and up, as well as Apple Watch Ultra 3) to contact emergency services when outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Apple’s Find My app can leverage satellite-based connectivity to update and…
