AT&T counters T-Mobile’s ridicule with a satellite milestone of its own

T-Mobile claims its competitors are scrambling to catch up, highlighting that Verizon operates with fewer than 10 satellites and limited device support. T-Mobile jokes that Verizon customers might be waving their phones around for a signal, while AT&T users are still “searching the skies for signs of life” for a service that has yet to launch.

It didn’t take long for AT&T to respond, although briefly and in a formal tone. AT&T doesn’t mention T-Mobile anywhere in their “AT&T Satellite Solutions – Stay Connected. Everywhere.” short public announcement, but coincidences are rare in the Big Tech world.

AT&T says it operates the largest wireless network in North America, covering over 2.99 million square miles and reaching more than 99% of the US population. For the few areas without coverage, it’s partnering with AST SpaceMobile to eventually offer voice, data, and text via satellite in remote locations. The service, which may later support video, will work with regular cell phones and integrate with AT&T‘s existing network.

The latest update from their partnership with SpaceMobile reads that the two companies “successfully completed” the “first-ever native voice call and text” with AST’s satellites with a “standart phone”:

– AT&T press release, July 2025

It’s notable that AT&T announces the July 21 achievement only now, a few days later. Were they expecting something from T-Mobile and kept their secret from Monday to the end of the week? Hey, don’t look at me, I’m not the one at AT&T headquarters.

AT&T took the opportunity to mention a few more satellite-related achievements from recent years, including the first two-way voice call over AT&T spectrum in April 2023, followed by the first video app call in June, and the first direct-to-cellular 5G call in September.