Rapper, actor, author and activist Common talks about Black excellence during Black History Month

Miami Signature Mobile Expert Antenor Guerra-Garcia welcomes you to switch to T-Mobile

Read This T-Mobile SVP's Advice for Women in STEM

How T-Mobile's Edwige Robinson is Reshaping the Tech World

True Love Valentine's Day phone personality quiz illustration

T-Mobile’s new Senior Vice President of the Central Regional Network Engineering & Operations shares her journey from Africa to America, overcoming adversity and seizing opportunity to pave a way for herself and blaze a trail for others.

tmobile-blocks/subhead

core/embed

Ask Edwige Robinson what gave her the grit to embark on a courageous career path in a field where she had no mentors and no clear path to success, and her answer may surprise you.

core/paragraph

“I love this question because it will help many people — you see, I stumbled into the tech realm a couple of decades ago.”

As someone who says she simply “stumbled into the tech realm,” Robinson certainly turned her gate into a full stride on the way to the top over her 27-year career, having occupied leadership roles in a field dominated by men, notably in one of the few executive seats available in renowned companies like Verizon Wireless, Time Warner Cable and Comcast NBC Universal.

“For more than two decades, I have had the honor of leading diverse organizations at all levels and delivered terrific products and experiences for customers around the world,” explains Robinson, who joined T-Mobile as Senior Vice President of the Central Regional Network Engineering & Operations this past October. “I realized early on in my career that leadership is not just a job for me. Leadership is my calling and a way of moving through the world that makes others want to follow. Though authentic leadership requires sacrifice, I have found tremendous joy in igniting people to uncover their gifts and blind spots so that they can reach their highest potential and have maximum impact in their roles! It is such a privilege, and I get to do it every day.”

She is the self-described bridge between “business strategy, innovation and technology execution.” A track record of excellence with a heavy focus on superior customer experience, she’s brought drastic improvement in net promoter scores and ROI to the teams she leads. Her expertise in 5G, IoT (Internet of Things) and narrowband-IoT meant to enable a wide range of new devices and services, artificial intelligence as well as machine learning, made her a seamless fit for her latest venture at <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.t-mobile.com/">T-Mobile</a>, where leading the nation in wireless 5G has been a laser focus for the brand.

Named by diversity research firm Aleria as one of the “<a href="https://aleria.tech/awesome-black-women">Awesome Black Women Everyone Should Know</a>” and lauded by the global women in STEM organization <a href="https://www.1mwis.com/profiles/Edwige-Robinson">Million STEM</a> as a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.1mwis.com/profiles/Edwige-Robinson" target="_blank">visible role model who inspires the next generation of girls</a>, it’s clear Robinson’s impact isn’t all data points and mechanical prowess.

tmobile-blocks/pull-quote-image

A native of Ivory Coast, West Africa, who came to America in her early twenties before learning to speak English, she says being a woman, an immigrant and black meant she was a “triple minority” laying new ground for those who dreamed of careers in tech but unable to find mentors and supportive allies in such a challenging field.

“I have been committed to helping me and my family have a better life since I was 14 years old,” says Robinson. “This is why I work so hard. This is why I took the leap of faith to come to the USA — sometimes you have to be your own hero. You have to be willing to fight for yourself and others. You have to trust that you have what it takes.”

Her dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion has driven her to help organizations understand and leverage equity in that representation; all while engaging, energizing and empowering employees to excel against the challenges they face.

Here Robinson opens up about how she fell in love with STEM as a young girl, the adversity she faced, her advice to women who might not have role models they identify with in their chosen fields and why she’s most grateful for her first after-school job in America, working the graveyard shift on a motherboard manufacturing assembly line.

When did you first recognize your passion for STEM, and how did you first enter into the field? How did your upbringing in Ivory Coast influence your drive to succeed?

core/heading

My initial degree was in banking and finance. However, when I arrived in the U.S. I had to find a way to make some money while going to school. One of my professors shared with us a job ad for manufacturing. The job required you to work during the third shift, also known as the graveyard hours. Back then you had to complete a paper application, so when I arrived at the location to apply, the recruiter looked at me and said, “Why are you here?” When I told him I wanted to apply for the position, he argued that I had no experience. But, I told him I was ready to learn, and two weeks later I was working on the motherboard assembly line from 3pm to 2am daily.

I learned about AC/DC, resistors and transistors, different temperatures to test hardware, how to do audits, etc. I was the only female, but I did not care — I was able to take care of myself and also send money back to the Ivory Coast to take care of my family. It was hard to go to school full-time and work 10 hours after school, but it paid better than working in department stores. So, while I entered a field to help myself financially, I quickly felt in love with troubleshooting and uncovering different ways to get things to work. It turned out to be the best launchpad I could have ever asked for. This is why I always tell people to stay open to what life has to offer. You may be wonderfully surprised of the outcome.

I am known to have a relentless perseverance and tend to be an optimist. While the Ivory Coast is a beautiful country, it is not an easy place to live, to say the least. Growing up, we did not have much — so I learned to find joy in the little things, like a great meal. I remember growing up wearing one pair of shoes for several years. I learned that you always have a choice and sometimes your choice will demand a lot of sacrifice from you. You see, life is a game of decisions. Some decisions are more complicated than others, but ultimately, we must choose. When your aspirations are more significant than your worries, life has a way of putting you in a situation where you can only say yes to the opportunity. Sometimes in life you have to be your own hero. You have to be willing to fight for yourself and others. You have to trust that you have what it takes. From that point, the mentors and advocates will come.

Despite your impressive education and career accomplishments, you’ve said that you first and foremost draw from your experience as a black woman and immigrant to America to champion and advocate for others. Can you tell us a little more about this?

I see being the only one who looks like me or speaks like me in meetings as a tremendous privilege. So, the way I look at it is this, instead of saying I am the only one here, I say I have the privilege to show what I am made of and I get to be here — I am going to do so well, that they will have no choice but to look for more people like me. If not me, whom? Being a barrier-breaker takes courage and a lot of sacrifice, because everyone is watching to see how you will do. Some people are silently praying for you to succeed, while some are just waiting to see if you will fail. So, you have to learn to encourage yourself and keep going despite the obstacles. Why? Because everything worth having comes at a cost. You have to decide what you are willing to sacrifice. I sacrificed leaving everything I knew and left it behind for a country that I didn’t know, where I was unable to speak the language. Upon arrival, I embraced it and went out each day with a spirit of wonder and curiosity.

I started at the very bottom of the ladder working that graveyard shift, from that I went back to school and took advantage of the employer educational assistance to complete my bachelor’s and master’s. It was really hard to work full-time and raise our boys. My husband was a big help. I always reminded myself if you don’t fight for you first, who will? Life is what you make it. You get one hundred-fold what you put in.

You have been recognized as a visible role model by the global women in STEM organization <a href="https://www.1mwis.com/profiles/Edwige-Robinson">Million STEM</a> and by <a href="https://tmobile.pmail5.com/PoliteMail/default.aspx?page=F2r5WivCiEO0KMGtL4NYjQ&ref_id=jrE9ZGumX0-P_Hy6pZt1OQ">Aleria</a> as one of the “Awesome Black Women Everyone Should Know.” What about these accolades mean the most to you?

For me, being a role model for young men and women is so important. It is difficult for people to become what they can’t see. As a triple minority, I take great pride in showing that it is possible to become what you dream of in secret. I want little young black girls and young men to see that their dreams are valid, too. I feel tremendous joy when I get an email or note via <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwigeatransformationalleader/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwigeatransformationalleader/">LinkedIn</a> from women who are just entering the field. “When I see you, Edwige, I see that it’s also possible for me. If someone like you can come from another country without speaking English and reach your level, I believe that one day I too can reach and exceed it. It is not a fairytale. It can be a reality for me, too.” This is why I do what I do, this is why I can execute with excellence — there is no other way to be.

T-Mobile Newsroom

T-Mobile SVP Edwige Robinson is a self described triple minority trailblazing in the technology field.

“Sometimes You Have To Be Your Own Hero” | T-Mobile Newsroom

News

Posts

Community

“Sometimes You Have To Be Your Own Hero”

Shawna Ryan

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2021/02/nr-hero-EdwigeRobinson-2-24-21.png

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/svp-inspires-women-in-tech

twitter:card

twitter:creator

twitter:description

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2021/02/ntc-EdwigeRobinson-2-24-21.png

twitter:image

twitter:site

twitter:title

It was just about one year ago that many of us moved out of the office and into the home as the world began to grapple with a global pandemic. Our kids moved into remote learning, and the fatigue of endless video calls set in. People are wired to operate in three dimensions, but this past year more than ever we found ourselves forced into a 2D world.

With <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/5g">5G</a> this is changing fast – and life is just better in 3D. With Mixed Reality and real-time 3D video communications we are watching sports, buying products, exploring new places and interacting with our world in amazing new ways. Businesses are finding better ways to collaborate virtually and increase productivity across a remote workforce. And consumers are being engaged with virtual experiences that bring them closer than ever to the products and entertainment they love.

Augmented & Virtual Reality for Frontline Workers

Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technology is a key area of focus at T-Mobile for 5G use case development and it is applicable to so many industries from healthcare to manufacturing, agriculture and more. Enterprises today have complex machinery, a shortage of skilled workers, and customers with no patience for downtime, making sophisticated training and technical support capabilities more important than ever. With T-Mobile’s low-latency, Ultra Capacity <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/4g-lte-5g-networks">5G network</a>, we are seeing businesses boost productivity and speed as technicians use augmented reality for immersive training, and then to collaborate and fix problems fast.

Taqtile, a recent graduate of the <a href="https://5goilab.com/">5G Open Innovation Lab</a> co-founded by T-Mobile, is a company doing fascinating work building AR solutions for frontline workers. Timberline Communications Inc. (TCI), a communications infrastructure company, is using Taqtile’s AR solution running on T-Mobile 5G to perform cell site upgrades and maintenance on our network. With Taqtile, TCI’s technicians use AR headsets to view virtual service checklists and troubleshoot using remote assistance. AR solutions such as this enable frontline workers to improve their skills and perform complex tasks from anywhere exploring objects such as machinery in 3D from all angles. We recently went to Boston to check out the Taqtile solution in action with TCI – take a look.

Real-Time Holographic Telepresence

Another 5G use case we are interested in at T-Mobile is holographic telepresence. While holograms have been around for quite some time as highly staged, pre-recorded productions, today we are seeing the potential for 5G to take holograms into everyday life with real-time holographic video calls right on your mobile device, anytime, anywhere. With holographic video calls we’ll have a more natural, intuitive way to communicate with 3D images enabling us to better experience physical presence.

We have been testing holographic video calling technology with Omnivor, also a graduate of the 5G Open Innovation Lab and an early leader developing this next frontier of video communications. We set up the Omnivor system at T-Mobile to try this early technology for ourselves on the <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/4g-lte-5g-networks">T-Mobile 5G network</a>, and just recently we conducted part of our quarterly all-hands team meeting using holographic telepresence. Adam Kirk, CEO of Omnivor, and I joined about 70 people in their home offices and other locations in real-time as 3D holograms. Interestingly, Adam and I were not even in the same city during the call, yet our holograms were interacting virtually in those home offices. Talk about spicing up your 2D video call!

core/image

This solution relies on volumetric spatial processing – a technique where multiple cameras capture an image from all angles to create a 3D video that is transmitted over the T-Mobile network, allowing the image to be viewed in 360 degrees in real-time on <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/devices/5g-phones">smartphones</a>. Check it out.

T-Mobile 5G, a Platform for Innovation

At T-Mobile we are building America’s leading 5G network with the fastest speeds and largest coverage footprint.  Amazing new 5G products and services are quickly being built, and they require a 5G network with capacity and broad reach, one that can support all use cases and reach all Americans. We call it #5GForAll and only T-Mobile has it. 

To fuel 5G innovation and support developers like Taqtile and Omnivor, we have a number of initiatives including the award-winning <a href="http://t-mobileaccelerator.com/">T-Mobile Accelerator</a>, <a href="https://5goilab.com/">5G Open Innovation Lab</a> and <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/business/ventures">T-Mobile Ventures</a> investment fund. This year we will work directly with approximately 50 startups just through these programs alone, and a key focus area is on immersive technologies such as Mixed Reality and 3D video communications. Our T-Mobile Accelerator <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/stories/t-mobile-accelerator-2021-spring-program">Spring Program</a> is focused on exactly this, and we just recently expanded the Accelerator in collaboration with <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/t-mobile-georgia-tech-and-curiosity-lab">Georgia Tech and Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners</a>.

Stay tuned for more as we kick things into high gear with the innovators, developers and entrepreneurs building the next big thing in 5G!

I'd like to thank my colleague Erin Raney and her talented team at <a href="https://techexperience.com/">T-Mobile Tech Experience</a> for the production of these videos with Taqtile and Omnivor.

Learn how T-Mobile is using its 5G network to help businesses boost productivity, speed, and collaboration using augmented reality and holographic telepresence.

T-Mobile 5G Powers Immersive Experiences with Augmented Reality and Holographic Telepresence | T-Mobile Newsroom

T-Mobile 5G Powers Immersive Experiences with Augmented Reality and Holographic Telepresence

Adrienne Norton

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2021/02/nr-hero-Holograms-3-01-21.png

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/t-mobile-5g-powers-immersive-experiences-with-augmented-reality-and-holographic-telepresence

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2021/02/ntc-Holograms-3-01-21.png

In celebration of Black History Month, the rapper, actor, author and activist shared his insights and experiences to help promote diverse narratives and find deeper purpose.

“Gratitude is one of the things that can keep you positive. If you think about the things that you do have and just stay in that att … I was about to say ‘attitude,’ but I didn’t want to rhyme. But, to be honest, your gratitude will change your attitude!”

Common laughed when he tried to stop himself from doing what he does best. But even when the rapper tries to downplay his talents, it seems his creative spark can’t be dimmed. Speaking via livestream to T-Mobile’s Executive Vice President of Customer Care Callie Field, as well as almost five thousand employee audience members, during the company’s virtual Talking with Trailblazers event in recognition of Black History Month, the hip-hop heavyweight’s excitement over the topic at hand was palpable through the computer screen.

“I love the thought and the mantra of ‘excellence in action,’” he said. “The more I’ve trained myself to think about keeping my mind on good things and recognizing that everything that we’ve experienced is actually there for us to be better. Excellence! In action!”

As the winner of an Academy Award and a Golden Globe in 2015 for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for Glory, as well as numerous Grammys, the author of two memoirs admittedly knows what excellence feels like, and has dedicated himself to helping others understand its power through his social justice and advocacy work, focusing on mass incarceration, mental health and voting rights.

This Talking with Trailblazers installment is the latest in a <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/celebrating-diversity/black-history">series of companywide initiatives</a> to celebrate Black History Month and was organized with the help of the company’s Multicultural Alliance and Black Empowerment Network employee resource groups. T-Mobile also kicked off February with a <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/black-history-month-2021">$2 million investment</a> in new scholarship, recruiting and business education programs meant to continue its commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The donations focus on programs that serve students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), aspiring diverse workers in the tech and telecom industries and Black small business owners.

Common had plenty of gems of wisdom to share during the hour-long conversation, topics ranging from the importance of mental and physical health while investing in your purpose to celebrating the incredible contributions of Black writers, musicians and artists and the meaning behind the Black Lives Matter movement, and the recent work of his own nonprofit organizations the Common Ground Foundation and Imagine Justice, dedicated to leveraging the power of art to advocate for communities and fight for justice and equality.

So put on your favorite soundtrack to set the mood — May we suggest starting with the first track on this <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/66cWCIdzOlFhVSTOf5oNyC?si=5a0052157e794367">Black History Month-inspired playlist</a> created by the T-Mobile internal communications team? — and enjoy some invaluable takeaways from this important chat.

1. Gratitude will change your attitude. “Gratitude is one of the things that can keep you positive. It’s better to think about the things that you are grateful for instead of worrying about the future or living in the past. It changes your mentality, so that’s how I keep a positive outlook and surround myself with positive people and positive energy. I try not to take in things — whether it's news, food, music — that darken my energy and my spirit.”

2. Self-care is a discipline, one that trains you to maintain discipline in all areas of life. “As a young man, I really didn’t have any health awareness besides exercise. But, at a certain point, I realized that certain things weren’t good for my life. I started caring more and focusing more towards taking care of myself from a diet perspective. Applying discipline to one area of my life helped me feel more powerful. I felt like I had more control of myself. ‘Oh, I have the power to not do these things. Instead, I can use that power to create these other things.’ I recognized that going into the studio after I stopped eating certain things, my voice was clearer. Now I eat a healthier diet. I drink water. I work out. I go into the booth and make sure I do vocal exercises. I pay attention. I strive for a lifestyle of wanting to love myself and a lifestyle of wellness. If you take care of yourself, it shows up in every other aspect of your life, no matter what you’re doing.”

3. The head holds the secret to what the heart wants — mental health is as vital as physical health. “We all go through some stuff. Everybody. I don’t care how divine, how great, talented, successful, whatever attributes you have that are blessings and incredible. You still go through things. You still go through what we feel as human beings. It shows up in fears, shows up as ways that we are afraid to get close to the other individuals, or ways that we actually channel our own pain on to other individuals or even onto ourselves. Ways that we are not able to love ourselves as much. Sometimes we just don't know the reason why some of these things are happening. Sometimes we know we are doing it and still don’t know why we want to do it. My goal is to be the best human being, the best child of God, I can be, every day. That entails not only the physical things, but the mental and emotional. In fact, I don't care how physically well you are. If you’re not nurturing your mental wellness, you will never live to your full capacity and live a full, happy life. So, I made a decision when I saw myself repeating certain things. After all the great books that I’ve read, and the self-help books, and still continuing to build in my spirituality, I felt like one of the avenues to explore was therapy. If you have something going on physically, you go to the doctor. So why not have that type of support for your mental well-being? It’s proven to be one of the greatest gifts for me in this lifetime.”

4. Live a life of purpose, each and every day. "I asked myself this question the other day: If I never had to worry about money again, what things would I still do? I would still create music. I would act. I would be doing activism work. Some things within your purpose will end up being your profession, and you can express your purpose through your profession — and some won't. But things that you love to do are still in your purpose, your life’s work. The great Kahlil Gibran wrote in the book The Prophet, “Work is love made visible.” Work is love made visible. You want to make sure that you’re doing things that are aligned in that purpose. And it takes us time to discover what those things are. Write it down, think about it. What you’re doing every day, is that falling under your purpose in some way? How are you putting some time in your day towards your purpose? It’s okay if you don’t know it at this moment, but it is important to put attention and focus into finding it.”

5. Celebrate Black culture by continuing to grow its areas of prominence and influence. “Yes. I'm a Black artist and I love Black artists. I love celebrating Black art, whether it’s Amanda Gorman, or whether it’s this bass player and singer named <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thundercat_(musician)" target="_blank">Thundercat</a>. Whether it’s <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.isaiahsharkey.com/" target="_blank">Isaiah Sharkey</a> or <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SZA_(singer)" target="_blank">SZA</a>. It could be <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://lsimpsonstudio.com/" target="_blank">Lorna Simpson</a>, who’s a visual artist, or <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahershala_Ali" target="_blank">Mahershala Ali</a> or <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erykah_Badu" target="_blank">Erykah Badu</a>. I celebrate Black art, and it’s not a labor to celebrate it, because it’s such beautiful work and incredible work, and work that has changed the world. It has influenced the world and it continues to evolve. Celebrating Black excellence doesn’t downgrade or diss anyone else. It’s not a slight to anyone, it's not putting any other nationality or culture down. It’s just celebrating our culture and who we’ve been in this world. It’s important that we do that. It’s important that we celebrate ourselves as individuals and celebrate where we come from. It’s very important to acknowledge those things. And not only from the artist perspective, let’s make sure we continue to have Black people and other minority groups in places of decision-making in the corporate world, too.”

In celebration of Black History Month, rapper, actor, author and activist Common shared his insights on excellence in action.

5 Tips To a “Common” Sense Approach | T-Mobile Newsroom

5 Tips To a “Common” Sense Approach

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2021/02/nr-hero-TWT-Recap-common-2-24-21-2.png

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/5-tips-to-a-common-sense-approach

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2021/02/ntc-TWT-Recap-common-2-24-21-1.png

Ditch those common misconceptions that keep you stuck. Switching to T-Mobile has never been easier!

In the past year, we’ve had to switch up so much — working from home, virtually visiting a doctor, mastering <a href="https://smartphones.gadgethacks.com/how-to/master-tiktoks-shuffle-dance-4-steps-0236502/">the shuffle</a> off TikTok (nailed it!) — and our mobile devices have been a major agent of change all along.

But there’s one switch that most people shy away from — switching wireless companies. Three in five people who want to switch don’t — mostly because it can seem daunting.

The thing is, switching to T-Mobile is easier than ever. So why sacrifice better coverage, performance and value, when you don’t have to?

Go ahead, and finally make the one change that will set you up for success for many years to come!

Here we break down some common misconceptions that keep you stuck with your old carrier, and four simple steps on how to join the Un-carrier in a jiffy.

MISCONCEPTION 1: Switching takes too long. FACT: You can switch to T-Mobile in about 30 to 60 minutes in most cases. MISCONCEPTION 2: I’ll need a new phone / number. FACT: Most smartphones in the last five years work great across all networks. So go ahead and bring your current phone … and you can often bring your number too. T-Mobile’s new <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/switch-to-t-mobile-from-verizon-or-att">Zero Cost to Switch</a> deal makes it easy!MISCONCEPTION 3: The network won’t be as good. FACT: <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/fastest-largest-5g-network">Recent third-party studies</a> found T-Mobile, already America’s leader with the largest 5G network, also has the fastest 5G network. Plus, T-Mobile even lets you <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/free-trial">Test Drive</a> its nationwide LTE network before switching.MISCONCEPTION 4: Switching is expensive. FACT: Switching to T-Mobile could actually save you money, from the <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans">best plan prices</a> that include 5G access to help you pay off your current device whether you <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/switch-to-t-mobile-from-verizon-or-att">keep it</a> or <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/support/deals/carrier-freedom">get a new one</a>.So drop those old hang-ups, and follow these four simple steps to get what you deserve!

tmobile-blocks/banner

Step One: Pick a Plan (5 to 10 minutes) Check out our <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans">cell phone plans</a>, which include those for customers 55 and over, military and first responders and their families.

core/separator

Step Two: Get Ready to Switch (5 to 10 minutes) Have a few things on hand to speed up the process.

core/list

Note: If you’re switching multiple lines, even in the case of multiple family members in various locations, all the lines can be switched by the primary account holder.

Step Three: Pick a Phone, or Keep Your Own! (As little as 1 minute) To tap into T-Mobile’s ultra-fast nationwide 5G network you may want to upgrade to a new phone. In most cases, you can even <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/keep-your-number">keep your current number</a>! All you need to do is:

Or T-Mobile’s new <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/switch-to-t-mobile-from-verizon-or-att" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/switch-to-t-mobile-from-verizon-or-att">Zero Cost to Switch</a> deal let’s you bring your eligible phone and switch for free! Just:

Step Four: Do It! (30 to 45 minutes) Now you’re all set to make the switch! You can safely visit a T-Mobile store or just call:

Got all your <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/switch-to-t-mobile-from-verizon-or-att">switching</a> bases covered? Here are a few last helpful hints from some Mobile Experts — just like you’ll find at a <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/store-locator">T-Mobile store near you!</a>

tmobile-blocks/wistia-embed

Fastest 5G: Opensignal Awards based on average speeds — <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.opensignal.com%2Freports%2F2021%2F01%2Fusa%2Fmobile-network-experience-5g&data=04%7C01%7CStephen.Berge%40T-Mobile.com%7C7d0a1fe74e874c34a72b08d8bf0bad1f%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C637469404157587800%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=mqsSwUP4cOILR0C0X%2BQc6jVlbTzmih%2BE%2Fe%2FPwj7zQsU%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">USA: 5G User Experience Report</a> January 2021. Capable device required; coverage not available in some areas. Some uses may require certain plan or feature; see T-Mobile.com. No cost to switch for a limited time at participating stores. Qualifying consumer or small business account, credit, service, device and port-in required. T-Mobile will cover $10 SIM card and $20 assisted support charges that may apply for up to 5 new lines. May not be combinable with some offers or discounts (e.g. new device offers).

Learn about common misconceptions about switching phone carriers and find out how to join America's largest and fastest 5G network in 4 simple steps.

Ready to Switch Things Up? 4 Simple Steps to Join T-Mobile | T-Mobile Newsroom

Ready to Switch Things Up? 4 Simple Steps to Join T-Mobile

JasonAdams

Learn about common misconceptions about switching phone carriers and find out how to join America&#039;s largest and fastest 5G network in 4 simple steps.

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2021/02/nr-hero-Switch-02-16-21.png

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/4-steps-to-switch

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2021/02/ntc-Switch-02-16-21.png

core/gallery

It goes without saying that 2020 was a year unlike others in recent memory for so many reasons, not least of which is the sheer number of severe weather and natural events that have impacted — and at times devastated — communities across the U.S. The 2020 hurricane season alone shattered records, producing 31 named storms (a typical season produces around 12 named storms). During those times, it's critical that people maintain connectivity to friends and loved ones, and equally important that governments, emergency management workers and first responders have ready access to communications so they can continue to serve communities in the aftermath of an incident. That’s where T-Mobile’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) comes into play to provide temporary connectivity solutions when other critical connectivity is lost due to an emergency situation.

Part of T-Mobile’s Technology Service Delivery & Operations organization, the ERT addresses needs of specific types of customers when an incident occurs that affects connectivity, working closely with the Emergency Management Team (EMT) and <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/dealing-with-disaster-season-2020" data-type="URL">Community Response Team</a> (CRT). While EMT serves T-Mobile’s consumer customers after a natural event, ERT’s customers range from government and public safety entities to humanitarian organizations and local school districts, in addition to law enforcement and fire rescue; the team’s work is integral and felt far beyond the immediate community they’re stationed in.

In 2020, an incredibly active disaster season and COVID-19 response meant the T-Mobile ERT was deployed over 50 times in response to wildfires, tornadoes and hurricanes. And though disaster response is hard work, members of the team wouldn’t have it any other way. “When you’re in the field and you see damage, destruction, loss of life and loss of property and you’re able to witness the resources that you bring to bear affect people’s lives — that’s what is the most motivating and rewarding thing being a part of the Emergency Response Team,” says T-Mobile Business Development Manager Rodney Cooper.

Cooper began his career in the telecommunications industry in 2001 with Nextel Partners, which was later acquired by Sprint. Along with Business Development Manager Casey Muilenburg who started at Sprint in 2004 after 16 years serving in the Armed Forces, they are now both a part of the newly combined T-Mobile, and their core mission and responsibilities remain the same. “T-Mobile’s Emergency Response Team is responsible for providing deployable equipment and infrastructure to make sure the responders and businesses impacted by or supporting an event have communication support for their mission and community support,” says Muilenburg.

Cooper credits his nearly 20-year career in the telecommunications industry and experience developing relationships and understanding local and state public safety communications for preparing him for his role on ERT. “I joined the telecom industry just three months prior to 9/11,” says Cooper. “I found my passion working with government, and more particularly public safety.”

For Muilenburg, it’s his years he spent in the military — four years in the Marine Corps, 12 years in the Air Force Reserves and two combat deployments to Iraq — and prior account management experience that he says has had the most instrumental impact in preparing him for this important work and understanding the needs of government and business.

And despite a combined 35 years of telecoms experience and history between them, 2020 was one for the books. “This was one of the busiest years we have ever had,” Cooper says. “It was non-stop since March.”

In August, after <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/hurricane-marco-and-tropical-storm-laura">Hurricane Laura</a> struck the Louisiana Gulf Coast, causing some of the worst devastation the U.S. saw during this past year’s hurricane season, the ERT was in regular communication with local government entities and organizations leading public safety initiatives, and coordinating efforts to get <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/emergency-response-equipment">Cells on Light Trucks (COLTs) and Cells on Wheels (COWs)</a> with temporary cellular service solutions and satellite data to impacted areas. This included partnering with a nonprofit organization to help three rural schools in Lake Charles, LA that had to pause classes after they lost connectivity in the wake of Hurricane Laura. The ERT also provided loaner mobile phone devices and hotspots to the school district’s administrative staff.

Cooper recalls when a derecho (a storm akin to a tornado that moves in a straight line; the word means “straight ahead” in Spanish) swept across Iowa in August 2020, causing devastation and loss of communications due to downed infrastructure; three Des Moines area Disaster Recovery Centers — natural disaster community resource centers that provide essentials — in particular were in need of connectivity in order to support residents impacted by the storm.

Cooper arranged for a SatCOLT (Cells on Light Truck with a satellite built into the vehicle) and routers to be brought in that would provide LTE connectivity and access to the T-Mobile network. “Because of how closely we work with our Emergency Management Team partners, we were able to direct equipment they already had in the area to support those three Disaster Recovery Centers for two to three weeks to provide the community much-needed connectivity,” says Cooper. “Once people had access to communications, they were able to talk to loved ones, file insurance claims, request assistance from FEMA, request assistance from the state or do their online banking.”

During 2020’s West Coast wildfires, including the summer CZU Lightning Complex Fires in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, the team delivered connectivity to hundreds of displaced evacuees who were transported in RVs to a local church in Soquel, CA with a SatCOLT, and were able to put up another cellular bubble of coverage around the building itself. “They also didn’t have any wireline services there, so we brought in a flyaway satellite kit and put up another WiFi network so that not only T-Mobile customers had a way to communicate, but anyone with a device regardless of carrier could communicate out,” says Muilenburg.

In September, when the Holiday Farm Fire was blazing in McKenzie Bridge, OR, the blaze burned through the local fiber, causing loss of all service for miles. After an area government agency reached out to T-Mobile requesting internet and cellular service support, Muilenburg worked to deploy a SatCOLT — particularly critical for a nearby medical facility — and coordinated 30 pre-lit devices be dropped off at the community grade school.

Because of these efforts, “the medical facility was able to start triaging and processing patients in the area and the kids were able to go back to school to start learning and get back to some normalcy,” says Muilenburg. “We also supported first responders in the area who would stop by so they could communicate out. That's the true benefit of what we do. We provide them a way to communicate so that they can go out there and do what they need to do to save lives, save assets, save a house, put somebody back in a better spot than they currently are. And that's why I do it, because I know it makes an impact."

In a year that was anything but predictable, the ERT’s mission never ebbed or waned. “One of the things that Cooper and I always focus on is trying to make the process easy for our customers because they are not only worried about communications, but also multiple other things,” says Muilenburg. “We make the process simple, but our solutions are robust so we can expand and be able to support them as necessary during an event.”

“When we talk about the mission of T-Mobile’s ERT, that’s what it’s all about,” says Cooper. “Making a difference.”

For more about how T-Mobile prepares to respond to natural disasters to help keep our customers connected, click <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/tracking-historic-weather-conditions-with-stormgeo">here</a> to learn how the company tracks weather conditions.

T-Mobile’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) provides temporary connectivity solutions when other critical connectivity is lost due to an emergency situation, as seen during the brutal 2020 disaster season.

In a Challenging Year, T-Mobile’s Emergency Response Team Focused on Making a Difference When It Mattered Most | T-Mobile Newsroom

In a Challenging Year, T-Mobile’s Emergency Response Team Focused on Making a Difference When It Mattered Most

AlexandraFidler

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2020/12/nr-article-Disaster-Response-EOY-12-22-20.png

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/emergency-response-team-2020-impact

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2020/12/ntc-Disaster-Response-EOY-12-22-20.png

There’s a lot of talk – and hype – about 5G. Wireless companies are spending gobs on futuristic ads, video games and fancy demo videos … most of which showcase solutions that don’t exist – and may never – or aren’t accessible to most people. This does consumers – and the technology itself – a disservice. That’s why, for our Super Bowl ads, we chose to focus on a real scenario ALL of us have probably experienced this past year – the glitchy video call. We’ve all experienced the jitter, drops, garbled voices, frozen faces.

That’s a REAL problem 5G can solve, delivering higher quality video calls! (Now if 5G could just teach Carl how to unmute.)

The truth is that ONLY T-Mobile is building a broad and deep and Real 5G network. A network capable of delivering actual benefits like an amazing video calling experience… AND all of the other cool futuristic things 5G will unlock.

We saw it on display in Tampa Bay on Sunday. While Super Bowl was different this year, we still made permanent network upgrades throughout the area, and it’s a perfect case study of our 5G build strategy rolling out all across the country.

The majority of Tampa, St. Pete and Clearwater were already covered with far reaching 5G coverage. We then deployed super-fast Ultra Capacity 5G in and around Tampa Bay and in surrounding areas like St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Dade City. At Raymond James Stadium, we deployed the full layer cake of 5G (low-band Extended Range, Ultra Capacity mid-band and Ultra Capacity mmWave) inside.

This is how you build a 5G network – with great coverage, capacity and speeds – across the city and surrounding area (and not just in a few parts!).

This weekend in Tampa there was only one clear winner on overall 5G performance as T-Mobile delivered the fastest average speeds across the Tampa Bay area as well as speeds at the stadium averaging north of 1Gbps!! And if you didn’t have a 5G phone - well the fastest LTE speeds were from T-Mobile too.

Nationwide, we saw 40% more traffic than during last year’s Super Bowl and we saw customers with 5G devices use 25% more data than other customers.

And here are a couple of my favorite tweets from the weekend:

Research firm <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.umlaut.com%2Fuploads%2Fdocuments%2FReports-Certificates%2F202102_US_Tampa_AuditReport_umlaut.pdf&data=04%7C01%7CGrant.Castle%40T-Mobile.com%7C47d73d1a01844ee45fe608d8cbaabca5%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C637483281456814823%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=6J8pUADDiNl%2FEwn98LiRhlstjoRud2%2FbaKX2tZ4%2BdZE%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">umlaut put this 5G experience in Tampa to the test, and found T-Mobile delivered the fastest performance. </a>In just the last week, umlaut tested an area spanning more than 1,000 square miles both by car and on foot, taking nearly 2,000 test samples for each wireless provider. Using a 5G capable SamsungS20+ smartphone, they measured the customer experience with downlink and uplink performance. T-Mobile came out on top with the fastest 5G speeds and our overall average download and upload speeds, combining LTE and 5G, were more than 1.2 times faster than AT&T and Verizon. Not only that, but Ultra Capacity 5G download speeds in Tampa were over 1.6x faster than the  typical 5G speeds from the other guys, and Umlaut found that our Ultra Capacity 5G was available in almost half of all samples, while Verizon‘s Ultra Wideband could be found less than half of one percent of the time. Oof. This is what Verizon means when they say “parts of some cities” – less than half a percent of that city. And remember that TMO covers more than 40X the city count compared to Verizon.

This is the 5G experience we’re rolling out nationwide!

So, yea, there is a lot of talk, but what’s the reality when you look at the overall coverage and speed of the networks? 

And it's more than just coverage. Here is how 5G networks compare by the numbers:

The truth is, from the moment we launched 5G, T-Mobile became the 5G coverage leader, and now according to Opensignal <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.opensignal.com%2Freports%2F2021%2F01%2Fusa%2Fmobile-network-experience-5g&data=04%7C01%7CAlexandra.Schwerin%40T-Mobile.com%7Cbd7c2b87e3804b1be8ea08d8cc914f57%7Cbe0f980bdd994b19bd7bbc71a09b026c%7C0%7C0%7C637484271823360570%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=LpUhmnAA9xoAW7iyLn%2FeHBBpui3aTiTchQsAiPbdu%2F0%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">we’re also fastest</a>, as we pile on the speed with Ultra Capacity 5G. And we’re not just adding 5G speed and coverage – we’re continually enhancing 4G LTE too.

Plus, T-Mobile is completely unique in that we’re building 5G using dedicated airwaves. That means we can deliver both coverage and speed to create a truly transformative 5G network. And we are still the only US wireless provider offering Standalone 5G which routes traffic to a dedicated next generation core that can unlock the full potential of 5G.  The other guys just can’t match this…

To showcase this completely unique strategy and unique network, and because not everyone loves maps the way I do, we’re using some unique tactics. In December, we introduced “If 5G Were…” with three <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/introducing-if-5g-were" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">snowpeople</a> built to the scale of T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon’s 5G networks.

Today, I’m happy to present the second installment in this series: If 5G Were… Ice Sculptures. For this one, we head to an ice festival in the Midwest with one massive ice sculpture representing T-Mobile, measuring 5 ft x 3 ft, and a second representing Verizon, a mere 2 ft x 2 ft. Or about one-quarter the size… the difference between both company’s 5G networks.   

You can see these works of art live – along with all of the other ice creations at Improv-ICE – at <a href="https://www.downtownrochestermn.com/events/improv-ice" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.downtownrochestermn.com/events/improv-ice</a>.

And get ready, because we got loads and loads of great ideas for things we could build for “If 5G Were…” Stay tuned to see a few of the best come to life!

Because we aren’t stopping. We’ll keep expanding the biggest and fastest 5G network. And we’ll keep telling people about it in new and different ways – and in ways that not only grab attention, but in ways that show how 5G can make a real difference. THIS is the kind of game changing 5G America deserves. This is the kind of 5G we are building.

About T-Mobile T-Mobile U.S. Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.t-mobile.com</a>.

Media Contacts

tmobile-blocks/media-contact

There’s a lot of talk – and hype – about 5G. Wireless companies are spending gobs on futuristic ads, video games and fancy demo videos … most of which

Big Game Changing 5G | T-Mobile Newsroom

Big Game Changing 5G

Bennet Ladyman

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2020/09/nr-article-5G-9-1-20.png

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/big-game-changing-5g

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2020/09/ntc-5G-9-1-20.png

Whether you’re newly single, long-coupled or duly committed to swiping right, there’s still that one true significant other in your life — your phone! In honor of Valentine’s Day, we look at the many forms that relationship can take. Take our quiz to see which best describes yours!

carbon-fields/wp-viral-quiz

Hey, looking to break up with your carrier this Valentine's Day, and finally find your One True Love? Switching to T-Mobile could be the answer. Check our dating profile <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/how-to-join-us">here</a>.

To share your relationship type with a friend or loved one, <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/valentines-day-phone-relationship-quiz#download" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/valentines-day-phone-relationship-quiz#download">click here</a> or go to "Downloadable Media Assets" above and text away! Happy Valentine's Day!

tmobile-blocks/downloadable-assets

Don't Hang Up! Valentine's Day phone personality quiz illustration

shhh silent mode on Valentine's Day phone personality quiz illustration

ILY (sometimes) Valentine's Day phone personality quiz illustration

99% charged Valentine's Day phone personality quiz illustration

Which persona best describes your relationshop with your phone? Take our Valetine's Day quiz to find out!

Quiz: What Type of Relationship Do You Have with Your Phone? | T-Mobile Newsroom

Quiz: What Type of Relationship Do You Have with Your Phone?

Which persona best describes your relationshop with your phone? Take our Valetine&#039;s Day quiz to find out!

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2021/02/nr-hero-Valentines-02-08-21.png

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/valentines-day-phone-relationship-quiz

https://www.t-mobile.com/news/_admin/uploads/2021/02/ntc-Valentines-02-08-21.png

Farming, it is the most important job on our planet, and it is an industry with massive potential for generating and using raw data. Yet few industries have been as limited by data connectivity. With 5G, that is changing. All around the world farmers are embracing wireless technology, finding better ways to feed and sustain the planet.

We are working to help fuel this innovation, and <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/5goilab-launches-field-lab-for-agricultural-industry" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/5goilab-launches-field-lab-for-agricultural-industry">today we announced</a> a collaboration between Snohomish County, the 5G Open Innovation Lab and our partners to create a state-of-the-art agriculture technology field lab at two farms in rural Washington. It is called the Food Resiliency Project and it is funded by the CARES Act with the goal to bring together farmers, distributors and technology companies to transform  the agriculture industry and improve food resiliency.

T-Mobile 5G, a Platform for Agriculture Innovation

With T-Mobile 5G, we will bring meaningful change to the agriculture industry. The Un-carrier is already America’s 5G leader with the fastest and largest nationwide 5G network. We are building a network to serve all Americans, including rural farmers, giving them the tools they need to transform their businesses. For farmers, that means producing more food using fewer resources. Less water, less fertilizer, less pesticide. That matters for the environment, and it matters because agriculture is a capital intensive, low-margin industry.

Agriculture is also a high-risk industry exposed to the whims of mother nature. But sensors combined with artificial intelligence can create predictive models that dramatically reduce risk and increase efficiency for farms of all sizes. Systems that monitor crops and soil conditions provide farmers with real-time data to quickly adjust their operations, better deploy resources and even run farming tasks remotely.

Modern farms are highly connected farms, and it is vital that small farms not get left behind. With our Extended Range 5G network covering more than 280 million people across nearly 1.6 million squares miles, and our Ultra Capacity 5G network slated to cover 200 million people by year end, we are rolling out a 5G network that supports all use cases for 5G. Not just use cases in airports, stadiums and big cities, but use cases that drive powerful transformation across America. We call it 5G for All, because it is built to reach everyone, including those living in rural America driving the industries such as farming that are so vital to our country.

I am proud that T-Mobile is building a real and meaningful 5G network that spans coast-to-coast, lifts up communities and changes our world for the better. As we look at use cases for 5G, agriculture has to be one of the most compelling. We can’t wait to see the 5G innovation that occurs as we work with the developers and entrepreneurs building the next big thing in agritech.

Stories & Blogs

“Sometimes You Have To Be Your Own Hero”

T‑Mobile 5G Powers Immersive Experiences with Augmented Reality and Holographic Telepresence

5 Tips To a “Common” Sense Approach

Ready to Switch Things Up? 4 Simple Steps to Join T‑Mobile

In a Challenging Year, T‑Mobile’s Emergency Response Team Focused on Making a Difference When It Mattered Most

Big Game Changing 5G

Quiz: What Type of Relationship Do You Have with Your Phone?

Using 5G to Transform Farming and Improve Food Resiliency

Applications Now Open for T‑Mobile Accelerator 2021 Spring Program

Security Alert! Now Entering Vaccination Scammer Nation

Hindsight Is 2020

Seeing Growth, Change and Opportunity in a ‘Year of Missing’