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U.S. Senator Demands Telecom Firms Reveal Data Subpoena Details Linked to Jan. 6 Probe

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Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn has called on telecom giants AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to disclose whether they received or challenged subpoenas for phone data belonging to eight U.S. senators, including herself, in connection with the Justice Department’s investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

The request follows the release of a 2023 document showing that the FBI obtained “toll records” — metadata including call times and durations — from lawmakers’ phones as part of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s probe into efforts by former President Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 election.

Verizon confirmed it complied with a valid grand jury subpoena and a court order to maintain confidentiality, saying it had “no knowledge of the investigation’s purpose.” Blackburn is pressing the companies to clarify whether the seized data came from lawmakers’ personal or official government devices.

Senator Bill Hagerty, another affected lawmaker, said he also demanded explanations from Verizon regarding his own phone records. The subpoenas reportedly covered calls made between January 4 and January 7, 2021.

The case stems from Smith’s now-dropped prosecution of Trump, which was suspended after his 2024 election victory. The Justice Department later cited its policy against indicting a sitting president, though Smith’s report stated the evidence gathered “would have been sufficient to convict.”

Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr said the agency would participate in efforts “to get to the bottom of what happened,” amid rising concerns about government access to lawmakers’ communications.

T-Mobile Expands Satellite Network to Support WhatsApp, X, and Google Maps in Remote Areas

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T-Mobile announced on Wednesday that its satellite-to-cell network—developed in partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink—now supports popular apps such as WhatsApp, Google Maps, and X, expanding mobile connectivity for users in dead zones and remote regions.

The service, known as T-Satellite, initially launched commercially in July 2024 with limited capabilities, allowing only SMS texting, MMS, photo messages, and short audio clips when users were outside the range of traditional mobile networks.

Now, T-Mobile says the system can support a dozen widely used apps, including Apple Music, Samsung Find, Pixel Weather, AccuWeather, and AllTrails, alongside its new flagship “Experience Beyond” plan.

“We’ve worked closely with Apple and Google to create frameworks for SAT mode so that any app can access the data channel when connected to the satellite,” said Jeff Giard, T-Mobile’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Product Innovation, in an interview with Reuters.

HOW IT WORKS

The network relies on more than 650 Starlink direct-to-cell satellites, which automatically connect when a user’s device loses a terrestrial signal.
Apps that are “satellite-ready” provide essential services such as navigation, communication, and weather updates — though not full, data-heavy features like high-definition video streaming.

T-Mobile customers under the Experience Beyond plan can access the network at no extra charge, while users from AT&T and Verizon can subscribe for $10 per month.

EXPANDING DEVELOPER ACCESS

Giard said that both the App Store and Google Play Store now support SAT mode integration through a dedicated API, enabling developers to make their apps satellite-compatible.
T-Mobile is working with app makers to encourage adoption, especially for tools that provide critical communications and safety features.

“People are excited that their regular phone can now connect to space,” Giard said. “They essentially get a satellite phone experience—without having to buy new equipment.”

With this expansion, T-Mobile strengthens its push toward universal mobile connectivity, aiming to make complete coverage a reality even in the world’s most remote areas.

T-Mobile appoints Srini Gopalan as new CEO to navigate competitive U.S. telecom market

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T-Mobile announced that insider Srinivasan “Srini” Gopalan will become CEO on November 1, succeeding Mike Sievert, as the company sharpens its strategy to maintain 5G leadership in a crowded U.S. wireless market.

The transition comes amid slowing subscriber growth, heightened competition, and more price-sensitive consumers. T-Mobile has leaned on aggressive promotions, bundled perks, and streaming partnerships to gain share, rising to become the nation’s second-largest wireless carrier behind Verizon during Sievert’s tenure.

Sievert, who took over in 2020 after T-Mobile’s $26 billion merger with Sprint, will move to the newly created role of vice chairman, advising on long-term strategy, innovation, and talent development. His leadership saw T-Mobile outperform both AT&T and Verizon in stock performance.

Gopalan, currently T-Mobile’s COO, brings deep telecom and financial expertise, with past leadership roles at Vodafone, Capital One, Bharti Airtel, and most recently as CEO of Deutsche Telekom Germany, where he doubled growth and expanded the fiber business. Analysts, including MoffettNathanson’s Craig Moffett, said the handover is expected to be smooth, with little disruption to performance.

When asked about future M&A activity, Gopalan stressed that T-Mobile’s focus will be on spectrum investment and fiber expansion rather than new consolidation moves.

This change marks a pivotal moment as T-Mobile works to protect its 5G advantage and balance growth in both postpaid and prepaid markets amid shifting consumer dynamics.