Contact us
Find a store

The business case for “work from anywhere.”

Share this article:

Will Townsend

Sr. Analyst – Network Infrastructure & Carrier Services, Moor Insights & Strategy

In his blog, my colleague Anshel Sag examined some of the top trends driving the “work from anywhere” (WFX) revolution brought about by the pandemic. If interested, you can find it here. In my follow-up contribution from Moor Insights & Strategy, I want to focus on how WFX can benefit businesses of all sizes. I will also highlight some recent solution announcements from T-Mobile for Business that will help facilitate mobile work. Let’s jump in!

Productivity without bounds.

It is no secret that remote work has immeasurable benefits for its flexibility. The pandemic proves that corporate America can transition to work from home while maintaining the same level of productivity in an office environment. Connectivity platforms such a Virtual Private Networking (VPN), Software Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN), and the rise of the Gartner coined Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) have also integrated security. The result is not only a consistent application experience but also improved safeguards for enterprise IT networks. From my perspective, cellular networks and, in particular 5G, will enable a WFX paradigm that extends beyond these tools and borders of the home office given its fast throughput, ultra-low latency, enhanced security, and mobile-first architecture.

“I find T-Mobile's 5G deployment compelling given its balanced approach to building out low, mid, and high-band spectrum to ensure broad coverage, excellent performance, and high reliability.”

Tweet this

I find T-Mobile's 5G deployment compelling given its balanced approach to building out low, mid, and high-band spectrum to ensure broad coverage, excellent performance, and high reliability. T-Mobile is also the first carrier in the United States to deploy a 5G Standalone architecture that marries 5G core network components with 5G radio access network infrastructure to deliver on the next-generation service's true promise. As an analyst, T-Mobile provides demo equipment that I use on a personal basis. As a result, WFX allows me to be productive in my home base of Austin, Texas, in the foothills of Fort Collins, Colorado, that I visit frequently, and near the ocean at my second home in Islamorada, Florida.

Improved retention and broader talent pools.

Another benefit of WFX is the ability to retain better employment talent and tap into broader talent pools. A good friend of mine, Paul Estes, recently wrote a book titled "Gig Mindset." He talks about the rise of the gig economy and how companies like General Electric are transforming its operations through connected contractors. It is a growing trend with many highly skilled and experienced workers taking a “free agent” approach in seeking new opportunities. I made a similar decision nearly a decade ago after experiencing the tech start-up community's employment ups and downs. WFX provides me the freedom to invest myself in meaningful work without being stuck in one place.

Consequently, I love what I do as a technology analyst, and that passion keeps me invested in my work. WFX can also allow human resources professionals access to a much greater number of knowledge workers on a global basis for employers. A wider talent pool matches specific skills with employer needs. WFX could help do so on a more cost-effective basis than traditional corporate hiring when factoring for healthcare benefits, equity, and other considerations.

New T-Mobile for Business solutions.

T-Mobile recently announced a set of solutions branded WFX that can help businesses of any size embrace the WFX paradigm and enjoy the benefits of enhanced productivity, improved employee retention, and the ability to tap a wider talent pool. First, T-Mobile Business Internet can provide a separate, high-speed Internet connection at employees' homes for business-critical applications and video conferencing. It also integrates content filtering to ensure proper access control. I like the solution because it eliminates the contention for bandwidth with distance learning and streaming services, given the shelter-in-place experience caused by the pandemic.

T-Mobile recently announced a set of solutions branded WFX that can help [achieve] enhanced productivity, improved employee retention, and the ability to tap a wider talent pool.

Second, T-Mobile Collaborate is a suite of tools that facilitate work-from-almost-anywhere connectivity and productivity. Powered by Dialpad, it is an AI-powered, cloudified platform that provides business calling, messaging, and a video conferencing alternative to Zoom and WebEx from any device. I like the solution because it allows businesses to present a consistent and professional "face" for its employee to customer and prospect interactions.

Finally, T-Mobile Enterprise Unlimited 5G Plans round out the new WFX solution portfolio. These plans differ from pooled plans offered by AT&T and Verizon in that they do not employ overage charges. Data is unlimited and leverages what I believe to be the most extensive 5G footprint in the United States, given T-Mobile's low, mid, and high-band spectrum deployments. ScamShield is included, an AI-anchored service launched last year that aims to eliminate robocalls. I wrote about it in a Forbes article. The new plans also include mobile hot-spotting, Free In-flight texting, wi-fi and now streaming, and global roaming in over 200 countries.

Wrapping up.

In my mind post-pandemic, WFX is here to stay. Some companies such as Twitter have stated that its employees can work on a remote basis indefinitely. Operators such as T-Mobile that provide innovative solutions and services to support WFX have significant upside opportunities and stand to capitalize through increased average revenue per unit (ARPU), and new subscriber adds. 5G is not about access; it brings disruption and value to industries and enables employee productivity anywhere. I believe T-Mobile has established a solid footing in the enterprise with its recent announcements.

I look forward to what the “Un-carrier” has planned for the future.

Will Townsend is a Senior Analyst responsible for Networking Infrastructure and Carrier Services at Moor Insights & Strategy. Mr. Townsend advises some of the largest networking infrastructure providers and carriers in the world. He is frequently featured on NPR, CNBC, in the Wall Street Journal, and contributes to Forbes.com, providing insights into enterprise networking and 5G. Mr. Townsend is also ranked as one of the world's top networking analysts, as measured by ARInsights.

Disclaimer: During congestion, customers on this plan using >50GB/mo. may notice reduced speeds until next bill cycle due to data prioritization. Unlimited 5G data on our network. Video typically streams on smartphone/tablet at 480p. Capable device required for 5G; coverage not available in some areas. Business Unlimited General Terms: Qualifying business account, credit approval, deposit, and $25 SIM starter kit or, in stores & on customer service calls, $35 device connection charge due at sale. Monthly Regulatory Programs (RPF) & Telco Recovery Fee (TRF) totaling $3.49 per voice line ($0.50 for RPF & $2.99 for TRF) and $1.40 per data only line ($0.12 for RPF & $1.28 for TRF) applies; taxes/fees approx. 6-28% of bill. U.S. roaming and on-network data allotments differ: includes 200MB roaming. Unlimited talk & text features for direct communications between 2 people; others (e.g., conference & chat lines, etc.) may cost extra. Unlimited high-speed data US only. In Canada/Mexico, up to 5GB high-speed data then unlimited at up to 128kbps. Not available for hotspots and some other data-first devices. Video streams at up to 1.5Mbps. Optimization may affect speed of video downloads; does not apply to video uploads. For best performance, leave any video streaming applications at their default automatic resolution setting. Tethering: 10GB high-speed data then unlimited on our network at max 3G speeds. For the small fraction of customers using >50GB/mo., primary data usage must be on smartphone. Smartphone usage is prioritized over Mobile Hotspot (tethering) usage, which may result in higher speeds for data used on smartphone. With AutoPay discount using eligible payment method for lines 1-8. Without Autopay, $5 more/line/mo; debit or bank acct req’d. May not be reflected on 1st bill. Int’l Roaming: Usage may be taxed in some countries. Calls from 215+ countries and destinations, including over Wi-Fi, are $.20/min. (no charge for Wi-Fi calls to US, Mexico and Canada); customers on consumer plans (e.g. some sole proprietors) pay an additional $.05/min. Standard speeds approx. 128Kbps without PlusUp; with PlusUp approx. 256 Kbps. Not for extended international use; you must reside in the U.S. and primary usage must occur on our network. Device must register on our network before international use. Service may be terminated or restricted for excessive roaming. Coverage not available in some areas; we are not responsible for our partners’ networks. Scam Shield: Capable device req’d. Turning on Scam Block might block calls you want; disable any time. In-Flight connection: on U.S.-based airlines; Wi-Fi Calling functionality, valid e911 address, & 1 prior Wi-Fi call w/ current SIM card req’d for messaging. Home Office Internet: During congestion, customers on this plan may notice speeds lower than other customers due to data prioritization. Not available in all areas. Qualifying business or government account and credit approval required. For use only with T-Mobile Gateway for in-home use at location provided at activation. If canceling service, return gateway or pay up to $370. Video streaming resolution depends on available speeds. For best performance, leave video streaming applications at their default resolution setting. Not compatible with some live TV streaming services. Built-in security and productivity filtering blocks select content. See T-Mobile.com/filtering for details. Coverage not available in some areas. Network Management: Service may be slowed, suspended, terminated, or restricted for misuse, abnormal use, interference with our network or ability to provide quality service to other users, or significant roaming. During congestion, customers on this plan using >50GB/mo. may notice reduced speeds until next bill cycle due to data prioritization. On-device usage is prioritized over tethering usage, which may result in higher speeds for data used on device. See T-Mobile.com/OpenInternet for details. See Terms and Conditions at www.T-Mobile for additional information. 5G: Capable device required; coverage not available in some areas. While 5G access won't require a certain plan or feature, some uses/services might. See Coverage details, Terms and Conditions, and Open Internet information for network management details (like video optimization) at T-Mobile.com.

Want even more trends, insights, and success stories?

Browse our Business Insights hub