Cell Carriers Team Up to Boost Coverage Across the U.S.

By Connor Hart

AT&T, T-Mobile US and Verizon Communications are teaming up to boost coverage and connectivity in remote regions across the country.

The companies--which have been locked in an intense battle to win over customers--are setting aside their differences and forming a joint venture they said Thursday will help end wireless dead zones across the U.S., especially in rural and under-served areas.

In the joint venture, the cell carriers said they will use satellite-based technologies to address coverage gaps by pooling limited spectrum resources to increase capacity, improve customer experiences and help satellite providers reach more customers through a unified platform.

The companies said the initiative will help the U.S. extend its global leadership in wireless communications technology, while also enabling competition and fostering innovation and growth within the industry.

The joint venture remains subject to negotiating definitive agreements and closing conditions, they said. Existing carrier-satellite agreements would remain in place under the agreement, and each company would be able to continue its own connectivity efforts independently, they added.

Write to Connor Hart at connor.hart@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 14, 2026 07:57 ET (11:57 GMT)