Optimum expands T-Mobile MVNO deal for 5G SA launch by 2027

TL;DR

• Optimum expanded its multiyear MVNO agreement with T-Mobile, with rollout onto T-Mobile's 5G standalone network starting this year and a full launch expected in early 2027.
• Optimum said the deal will add broader domestic and international roaming, support for more certified smartphones, wearables and connected devices, and improved rural coverage and speeds.
• Optimum added 49,900 mobile lines in Q2, bringing its total to 724,000, and plans to launch SMB-focused mobile packages in the first half of 2027.

Optimum recently expanded its multiyear MVNO agreement with T-Mobile, and Optimum said the integration with T-Mobile's 5G standalone network will begin this year with a full launch expected in early 2027. Optimum Communications CEO Dennis Mathew said the expanded deal is intended to add support for connected wearables, stronger roaming, improved rural coverage, and mobile packages tailored for business customers.

Optimum said it operates its own core network across four US locations and is integrating that core with T-Mobile's 5G standalone platform. Luciano Ramos, Optimum's chief product and technology officer, said many Optimum Mobile customers already use devices that will transition seamlessly, while some devices will require a migration plan.

Optimum said access to T-Mobile's 5G standalone core will extend its roaming reach through T-Mobile's domestic and international roaming partners. Ramos said the integration will also expand support for smartphones, wearables, and other connected and IoT devices that T-Mobile has certified, including additional lines for devices such as iPads.

Optimum added 49,900 mobile lines in Q2, bringing its total to 724,000 mobile lines. Ramos said Optimum plans to launch mobile packages for small and medium-sized businesses in the first half of 2027 and build a self-care portal for that segment, while improved access to T-Mobile's low-band spectrum on the standalone network is expected to improve rural reach and speeds, especially in Optimum's western US footprint.