PhilippHumm
Latest
T-Mobile US CEO Philipp Humm resigns, Jim Alling takes over as interim CEO
Philipp Humm, the CEO of T-Mobile US, has resigned, according to a report from All Things D. While no official reason has been given, an official statement given to the publication tells us that Humm is heading back to Europe to be with his family and will look for a career outside of Deutsche Telekom. We're still waiting to receive the full statement from T-Mobile, and will update this post as we get more information. Update: We just received the official press release, which you can peruse below. Jim Alling, COO of T-Mobile US, will be the new interim CEO while a search for Humm's replacement is underway.
T-Mobile CEO Philipp Humm issues memo discussing restructuring plans, more jobs affected (update)
T-Mobile's going through some more growing pains as it continues through the process of restructuring. Less than two months after announcing it would close down seven call centers and cut a total of 3,300 jobs, CEO Philipp Humm has sent out another memo discussing that the company is ready to take the "second essential step" by announcing a new structure -- unfortunately, it means another round of layoffs is coming sometime this week. Humm gives no details on who will be affected, nor does he go into specifics on the new organizational structure that apparently is resulting in the loss of jobs. Head below the break to read the full message from the CEO. Update: Reuters is reporting that 900 T-Mobile employees stand to lose their jobs as a result of the most recent round of layoffs.
T-Mobile CEO argues to FCC against Verizon's AWS license acquisition
Well, wouldn't you know it, but T-Mobile -- the only nationwide AWS service provider in the US -- objects to Verizon's purchase of additional AWS spectrum. The company's CEO, Philipp Humm, recently took his concerns to the chief of the FCC's wireless bureau, Rick Kaplan, where he argued that Verizon's proposal to shed Blocks A and B of the 700MHz spectrum simply wouldn't be fair shake. According to Humm, Verizon is merely looking to offload its less desirable assets (as Blocks A and B are more prone to interference). While T-Mobile's leader presents a valid point in that Verizon has merely squatted on its current AWS licenses, we can't help but think that Humm would relish in the opportunity for T-Mobile to bid on these licenses. Further, if Verizon were effectively prevented from establishing a nationwide AWS network, it'd certainly reduce competition in the auction house, and therefore bring cheaper licenses to T-Mobile's doorstep. Given that everything in question here is not corporate property, but rather a public resource, what do you think is the best way forward? [Tower photo via Shutterstock]
T-Mobile to eliminate 1,900 US call center jobs, says more 'restructuring' ahead
T-Mobile USA CEO Philipp Humm sent word to his employees today that the company will be shuttering seven call centers, cutting a total of 3,300 jobs in the process. Affected employees will have the option of relocating to any of the 17 remaining call centers throughout the country, where 1,400 new positions will be available, essentially bringing the net job loss to 1,900. The call centers affected include Allentown, Pennsylvania; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Frisco, Texas; Brownsville, Texas; Lenexa, Kansas; Thornton, Colorado; and Redmond, Oregon -- so if you're based in one of those locations and want to stick with T-Mob, now would probably be the time to communicate your intentions. Other employees, including technicians and "front line" workers, will be able to stay put, though Humm did allude to further reductions, adding that "we will also be restructuring other parts of the company." You'll find the CEO's message in its entirety just past the break.
T-Mobile didn't get the iPhone because of its unique 3G bands
T-Mobile CEO Philipp Humm talked to Ina Fried of AllThingsD at CES this week about a variety of topics, including the iPhone. Humm confirmed what we all assumed -- T-Mobile didn't get the iPhone because of its unique 3G technology. "The key reason we didn't have the iPhone in the past is we are on different band than globally the market was," said Humm. Unlike other carriers which use the 850, 900, 1900 or 2100 MHz frequencies, T-Mobile uses the 1700/2100 MHz AWS band for its 3G. Handsets must have a specific chipset with this unique 3G UMTS band to operate on T-Mobile's network. While many manufacturers use this particular chipset and produce phones specifically for T-Mobile, Apple does not. Humm is hopeful this will change, and T-Mobile will eventually get the iPhone. Humm points out that technology changes all the time, and future chipsets may support more bands. Pentaband chipsets, which support all European and US 3G UMTS bands including T-Mobile's, already exist, but only a few phones use this technology. Humm concedes that, in the end, the decision to offer an AWS iPhone for T-Mobile is in Apple's hands.
T-Mobile CEO Philipp Humm issues non-denying non-confirmation of Sprint buyout discussions
Did last week's rumors of a T-Mobile merger with Sprint leave you wondering what color you'd get if you mixed magenta with yellow? T-Mo CEO Philipp Humm has stopped short of digging out his mixing tool to show you, but neither is he denying that such a mix-up could happen. His memo, sent to company employees and summarily leaked to the world, says that parent company Deutsche Telekom "will always explore options for maximizing the value of its portfolio and profits." However, he doesn't indicate exactly which avenues DT is exploring to find those profits.
T-Mobile confirms Galaxy S with 4G, Android-based Sidekick 4G are coming (update: pic)
Whoa, this is kind of out of the blue: on top of the Vibrant 4G that we've already had leaked ad nauseam (though he refers to it as a "Galaxy S 4G"), T-Mobile USA CEO Philipp Humm mentioned at an event this morning that the company is preparing an HSPA+ Sidekick -- yes, a Sidekick -- albeit with Android slotted in place of the defunct Danger Hiptop operating system. For the record, T-Mobile hasn't had any Sidekicks in its lineup since the middle of last year, though it does own the Sidekick brand -- not Danger / Microsoft -- and would undoubtedly love to bring it back to relevance. Coincidentally, Mister Android himself, Andy Rubin, came from Danger -- so the Sidekick's starting to follow him around. Kind of like... you know, a sidekick. Both products are said to be "coming soon." Update: After the break, spot a picture of what the Sidekick might look like, likely courtesy of HTC -- there's no mistaking that QWERTY keyboard layout.
