Open access networks could give T-Mobile a seat at the fiber table

T-Mobile appears to be eyeing a serious move into the US fiber market, confirming plans to offer service in two Colorado cities in addition to its original pilot market of New York City. Open access networks could offer the operator one of the fastest ways to expand its fiber reach. While open-access networks aren’t nearly as prevalent in the U.S. as in Europe, they are slowly beginning to proliferate. Indeed, T-Mobile is working with an open-access player – Intrepid Fiber – on its Colorado launch. Open-access networks could give T-Mobile the opportunity to become a major player in the fiber broadband market, enabling them to offer high-speed internet services to residential and business customers. Open-access networks allow multiple service providers to use the same fiber infrastructure, creating competition and lowering costs. T-Mobile has already begun experimenting with fixed wireless broadband services and is interested in expanding into the wired broadband market. The company has also acquired a number of small cable companies that provide broadband services in rural areas. With the deployment of open-access networks, T-Mobile could potentially become a significant player in the broadband market.