T-Mobile in Talks to Make Big Broadband Bet With Move Into Fiber

T-Mobile is in discussions with Tilman FiberCo to build out a fiber-optic network, setting the stage for the company to enter the landline broadband business. This would be the biggest bet T-Mobile has made in fiber-optic infrastructure, and put it in competiton with cable providers. A deal would make T-Mobile an anchor tenant in a newly formed infrastructure joint venture between Tillman FiberCo and private equity firm Northleaf Capital Partners. Under the agreement, Tillman—financed by Northleaf—would build out network infrastructure to various neighborhoods and business districts and fill orders to connect homes and companies with fiber. T-Mobile’s role would be to find internet subscribers and provide them with Wi-Fi equipment and customer support and billing for the T-Mobile-branded fiber service.