Embracing the Power of “Yes, And...”

Since the term “Internet of Things” was first coined back in 1999, the race to connect has been in full sprint mode. And now, several decades in, Ericsson estimates there will be 18 billion IoT devices this year connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the internet – provided those devices stay connected to the internet.

That’s why everyone’s so focused on the network right now. Sure, I could talk about T-Mobile’s network and how it’s America’s largest and fastest 5G network, but I think that’s a diversion from what’s really important, which is that IoT is changing everything. In a world where our customers dream the impossible, I believe it’s T-Mobile’s responsibility to actually make it possible.

Listening first is key. Having a strong desire to say “yes, and...” is crucial.

People aren’t looking for specific hardware or solutions, rather they want to achieve an outcome or solve a specific problem. Maybe that’s saving time, money, risk, whatever the case may be. But because we’re dedicated to listening and obsessed with the customer experience, we’re ready to enable change and bring about better outcomes at an unprecedented rate.

Now with 5G, the reduced latency and increased speeds unlock that thing our customers want to do – whatever it is – so long as they have a partner who’s willing to say yes. Some of the most impactful things that will come out of 5G will happen in the IoT space.

Think about healthcare, fleet management, and the mining industry. Healthcare will see sci-fi-level innovation in the coming months and years through advancements like remote surgery. Imagine no longer needing to travel for life-saving procedures and having access to top surgeons and doctors located almost anywhere. Fleet managers can monitor trucks as they roll off the lot and mitigate costs through advanced telematics. Mining companies can use GPS to precisely steer giant equipment or perform scheduled maintenance through remote access.

We all have an opportunity to make things better, and I am beyond pleased with how we have been able to respond quickly to the changing technology and help our customers accelerate innovation in the market, especially where IoT is concerned. Whether that’s through our network, equipment, onboarding, or customer experience and support – our ability to stay agile has helped set us apart.

5G and IoT might feel complex right now, but as the picture becomes clearer, we'll be able to unlock so much more potential. It’s a little bit intelligent design and a little bit spontaneous collaboration, and it’s exciting – for us and for our customers.

The sky is the limit, and when the next big thing comes along, our answer is “yes, and...”