Your phone carrier probably does more than you think – and not just in terms of your unlimited data plan or call quality. Whether you are with Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile, there is a whole world of stuff quietly powered by their networks. And T-Mobile just gave us another example of that.
T-Mobile has teamed up with Fluid Conservation Systems (FCS), a company that has been in the business of leak detection for decades. FCS picked T-Mobile to power its smart acoustic monitoring systems, which are used by water utilities across the US to detect and fix leaks before they get out of hand.
These aren't just any leaks, either. We are talking about millions of gallons of clean drinking water being lost every year due to aging infrastructure and underground cracks that are tough to find.
By using T-Mobile's Business IoT (Internet of things) services and reliable 5G network coverage (just recently, Ookla has crowned T-Mobile the best network in the US), FCS is giving utilities the data they need to stop leaks early, avoid expensive repairs and save on operating costs.
Water utilities across the country struggle with aging infrastructure, hidden leaks, and limited resources. Our acoustic leak detectors, connected by T-Mobile, give utilities real-time data to accurately pinpoint leaks before they become costly problems. We're essentially listening for leaks overnight, so our customers can wake up each morning knowing exactly where to focus their efforts.
– Beth Powell, President of Fluid Conservation Systems, July 31, 2025
The scale of the problem is massive. The American Society of Civil Engineers says over 33 trillion gallons of water are lost every year due to failing infrastructure. That is enough to supply New York City for more than 91 years. Seriously. Let that sink in.
FCS has been ahead of the curve here – it started using acoustic tech 40 years ago. Their leak-detecting loggers are rugged, cellular-connected sensors that attach to the outside of water pipes. These things "listen" for noise patterns that signal a leak and thanks to T-Mobile's network, they can send that data from anywhere – even remote and mountainous areas that are usually hard to reach.
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Such small cellular-connected acoustic sensors help detecting leaks. | Image credit – T-Mobile
This is a huge step up from how leak detection used to work. Before, utilities had to send workers with microphones to check hydrants one by one. Now, those same sensors just send everything automatically, saving time, money and most importantly, a whole lot of water.
And sure, this isn't the kind of flashy tech that makes headlines. But this is exactly the kind of thing that shows how important smart devices – and the networks that support them – really are.
Would you be more likely to stay with a carrier that actively supports environmental tech?
Yes, that’s a great reason to stick around.
50%
Maybe, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
12.5%
No, it doesn’t influence my choice.
37.5%
I hadn’t thought about it before.
0%
These "smart objects" are working behind the scenes all the time – from your smart bulbs and thermostats to security systems, wearables, even self-driving cars and traffic systems. They are all constantly talking to each other. The key to doing that, of course, is staying connected. IoT doesn't work without a solid, always-on link to the internet. T-Mobile knows that and it has been stepping things up.
Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
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