T-Mobile's open access fiber strategy gets clearer

T-Mobile expanded its fiber ambitions to a handful of new markets via partnerships with several open access fiber network operators including Tillman FiberCo and SiFi Networks, among others. The developments reflect T-Mobile's growing interest in partnering with fiber network operators to offer T-Mobile-branded fiber services running over another company's network. It is a model that T-Mobile knows well as companies like Dish Network, Altice and Google Fiber pursue a similar strategy using T-Mobile's own wireless network. As T-Mobile mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), the companies offer their own branded services to customers by piggybacking on top of T-Mobile's wireless network. The MVNOs handle processes like billing and customer service, while T-Mobile provides the wholesale network access. In this case, T-Mobile is purchasing wholesale services on open access fiber networks operated by Tillman FiberCo, SiFi Networks and Intrepid Networks, which allows the company to sell T-Mobile Fiber-branded Internet services to customers in select markets around the US.