The National Content & Technology Cooperative (NCTC) has struck a deal with AT&T that means the operator is the exclusive wireless carrier for all of its members' MVNO offerings.

NCTC represents close to 700 independent communications service providers in the US, with these providers connecting approximately one-third of North American households.

An MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) offers mobile services without owning or operating its own network, but instead uses a network owned by an operator, which in this instance will be provided by AT&T.

"We have successfully crafted a deal that works for all NCTC members with the largest wireless network in America," said Lou Borrelli, CEO of NCTC.

"We are committed to offering full connectivity to any device, inside or outside the home. AT&T is the most reliable network, with the best technologies offering the greatest reach across all 50 states. We look forward to our members embracing new services and technologies with the premier provider of mobile services in North America."

The deal itself is the first major MVNO deal that AT&T has struck with the US cable industry.

The agreement will see AT&T provide NCTC's members with 4G LTE and 5G services, with its wireless network that it claims covers 99 percent of the population.

Last month US operator T-Mobile acquired Mint Mobile, an MVNO partly owned by Ryan Reynolds, as part of a $1.35 billion deal for Ka’ena Corporation.