T-Mobile’s MVNE platform is facing serious backlash from one of its early customers, Roccstar Wireless, which now accuses the telecom giant of failing to meet key obligations.
In a letter shared with Light Reading, Roccstar Wireless claims T-Mobile’s “Your Name, Our Wireless” (YNOW) platform failed to deliver promised services. The MVNO says it has lost millions of dollars and that its brand and compliance are now at risk.
“T-Mobile’s ongoing failure to deliver on core obligations – technical, legal, and operational – has not only cost us millions but put our brand at risk,” the company wrote.
Roccstar is seeking a $165,000 refund for platform costs and compensation for $3.8 million in marketing expenses that it says were wasted due to technical failures.
Roccstar co-founder Darius Allen says problems began after switching from previous MVNE provider PWG to T-Mobile’s new platform. Issues included non-working SIM activations, lack of dealer tools, and poor reporting. The company also claims T-Mobile was slow to respond to complaints.
Allen started Roccstar Wireless in late 2023 with music producer Leon “Roccstar” Youngblood Jr., aiming to use celebrity endorsements to grow the brand. However, as of now, Roccstar’s website is down, and their platform remains unstable.
T-Mobile has declined to comment on the issue.
This isn’t the first MVNO dispute for T-Mobile. It previously clashed with Lycamobile, which later moved its operations to AT&T.
T-Mobile is just one of many MVNE providers in a competitive market. Others include Gigs, OXIO, Reach, Spenza, and Consumer Cellular’s Enabler IQ.
The dispute comes amid growing interest in the MVNO space, especially after T-Mobile’s $1.35 billion acquisition of Mint Mobile and Verizon’s $7 billion buyout of TracFone.
For now, Roccstar Wireless is reconsidering its relationship with T-Mobile — and could be the first major exit from the YNOW program.
