Technology helps small businesses streamline their operations and communications, increasing efficiency and driving growth. T-Mobile has long partnered with small businesses in this area, providing expert advice and solutions to help them most effectively leverage their technological solutions.
At the 2024 CO— 100 Small Business Forum, U.S. Chamber of Commerce VP and Editor-in-Chief Kristen DelGuzzi sat down for a “fireside chat” with Bill Brittingham, Director of SMB Sales at T-Mobile. They discussed emerging trends in wireless connectivity and T-Mobile’s role in supporting small businesses through technology.
T-Mobile’s commitment to supporting small businesses
In his work with T-Mobile, Brittingham and his team have worked closely with small businesses across the Mid-Atlantic region.
“I love the entrepreneurial spirit of the small business,” he said. “There’s just something special about working with folks that have that grit, that drive, that determination.”
Those admirable qualities are crucial to success as a small business owner, which often requires taking on multiple roles.
“You’re not only the CEO; you’re the CFO, you’re the CCO, you’re the CMO, and you’re a CIO,” Brittingham emphasized. “We [at T-Mobile] look to potentially help you with that CIO [role, and] be that trusted advisor to your business that you can lean on.”
While T-Mobile is most widely known for its wireless devices, the company also provides other technological products and services to support small businesses. These include everything from cybersecurity products to mobile device management to software licenses, as well as the support to deploy them successfully.
“It’s really about giving you that advantage, taking technology and helping you … do better in your business,” added Brittingham.
It’s really about giving you that advantage, taking technology and helping you … do better in your business.
Bill Brittingham, Director of SMB Sales, T-Mobile
The shift toward wireless connectivity for small businesses
More and more of today’s consumers rely exclusively on wireless devices rather than landline phones. Brittingham has observed a similar trend in businesses.
He described this shift from wired to wireless connectivity as “the new frontier” for providers like T-Mobile as they help customers replace or supplement their wireline activity.
Brittingham gave the example of a construction company with employees traveling to different job sites. Having a wireless router can help those employees access projects on their devices while out in the field.
“There [are] just so many different ways of connectivity and seeing success with it,” he added.
Wireless connectivity also expands options for point-of-sale (PoS) solutions. Retailers can leverage wireless credit card processors to process transactions without a wired connection, whether at a farmers' market or a brick-and-mortar location.
In addition to supporting businesses in the shift to wireless, Brittingham noted that T-Mobile is continuing to expand its 5G network, specifically into rural markets.
[Read more: Emerging Small Business Technology Trends]
The future of wireless: satellite-based connectivity
Looking to the future, T-Mobile continues to look for ways to advance wireless connectivity across the country, particularly in more remote locations. The company recently partnered with Elon Musk and SpaceX to develop satellite-based wireless connectivity.
“It’s actually happening right now — the FCC just approved part of this partnership to allow some connectivity in North Carolina right now [after Hurricane Helene],” Brittingham said.
This, he explained, means that wireless devices can send and receive messages, even without a wireless network in place.
“In time, I think you’re going to … be able to go to a mountaintop or the middle of the ocean, and you’ll be able to have connectivity on your device,” added Brittingham.
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