AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Form D2D Satellite JV; 6G Hype Cools; Comcast Makes Wireless Top Priority

Episode 251 of the 6G Podcast features Anshel Sag and Mike Dano discussing major U.S. connectivity and infrastructure developments. They unpack AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon forming an equal-share joint venture to pool spectrum and IP for direct-to-device satellite connectivity, positioning it as a standards and onboarding interface for satellite partners while potentially hedging against SpaceX’s ambitions and public antitrust critiques; they note Ookla data showing D2D usage under 0.5% of U.S. Speedtest users monthly. The hosts preview Network X, including satellite panels and BEAD program discussion, and cover industry “cold water” on 6G from Orange and Samsung, framing 6G as evolutionary with slower rollout and AI-driven upgrades. They cite RootMetrics vendor rankings emphasizing equipment age and device capabilities, discuss Comcast CEO calling wireless Comcast’s top priority with Xfinity Mobile at 10 million lines, and close with updates on Socorro, New Mexico considering a data-center moratorium amid local opposition and broader power-grid cost concerns. 00:00 Welcome and Catch Up 01:17 Carrier Satellite JV Explained 04:16 SpaceX Pushback and IPO Buzz 10:24 Network X Satellite Scene Setter 12:49 6G Hype Gets Tempered 16:42 RootMetrics RAN Vendor Rankings 19:40 Devices and Network Performance 21:50 Comcast Makes Wireless Priority 25:19 Socorro Data Center Moratorium 29:41 Power Grid and Who Pays 32:41 Wrap Up and Subscribe