Tag: telecoms

Leaked T-Mobile email suggests possible Bitcoin introduction

French and German owned telecommunications company, T-Mobile could well be driving the next Bitcoin price rise as they allegedly review the Bitcoin cryptocurrency as a payment method.

The exciting news was sparked after redditor Ryan Kinder sent a direct message to T-Mobile’s Chief Executive Officer, John Legere, who to his surprise personally responded saying that the cryptocurrency was:

“Under Review!”.

Within John’s reply, the Chief Marketing Officer Mike Sievert, Executive Vice President David Carey and Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Braxton Carter were all subsequently CC’d into the response which suggests that the decision makers at T-Mobile are now well aware of cryptocurrency developments and taking them seriously.

bitcoin t-mobile

T-Mobile is currently the 4th largest mobile operator in the US and represents a massive 13.2% of the total smartphone sales. It’s recent rapid 4G network upgrade has now made the company a real contender in the US telecoms industry.

No doubt the future looks bright as they continue to consistently follow consumer trends and place themselves at the forefront of new technology. Only today have they announced “Mobile Money”, a debit card which can be managed with a smartphone app in partnership with Bancorp Bank.

If T-Mobile are seriously considering Bitcoin payments, to date they would be the largest telecommunications company in the world to accept the cryptocurrency. The news would be a mammoth step forward for the community and would add tremendous value and growth to the whole ecosystem, making it an excellent alternative to current fiat currencies.

This is great news for Bitcoin fans and comes as a pleasant surprise, especially when considering UK telecommunications company, Virgin Media recently suggested they will not be delving into the Bitcoin market.

Since accepting Bitcoin, another prominent US business, Overstock, has seen a massive $500,000 flow through the coffers, with everyday items from bed sheets to men’s shoes being purchased by customers using the cryptocurrency.

Virgin Media Snubs Bitcoin

Virgin Media, one of the largest telecommunications companies have confirmed they have no plans to accept the Bitcoin cryptocurrency as a payment option for customers.

The company has long pioneered the UK telecoms industry, providing a range of services including lightning fast fiber-optic internet, television and mobile communications.

With speed being one of many touted benefits that Bitcoin offers to users, it comes as a surprise that Virgin Media has not already considered the crypto-currency. After all this coincides perfectly with Virgin Media’s current mantra and advertising campaign, where it features 100 & 200 metres world record holders Usain Bolt, suggestively promoting Virgin Media as a faster, more effective service provider, in particular emphasising the speed of their fiber-optic broadband.

With Virgin also now pushing customers further into the digital void by charging a £5.00 handling fee for paper-based statements, it seems counter-intuitive to ignore the ever growing influence and benefits of Bitcoin.

Bitcoin could ultimately provide a faster, simple and cheaper way for customers to pay their Virgin Media bills without the use of a 3rd party payment processor.

Having said that, one company within the Virgin Group that has adopted Bitcoin is Virgin Galactic. Sir Richard Branson recently announced that customers can pay their way to space with the virtual currency.

Belgium based mobile operator Mobile Vikings is one company which has publicly announced they are accepting Bitcoin payments. The company has around 160,000 subscribers in Belgium and has growing interested in other European countries, it will be interesting to see how early adopters will benefit from delving into crypto payments.