US telecom Sprint is working on a new blockchain initiative focused on carrier applications.

The firm is partnering with SoftBank, a Japanese telecom conglomerate, and TBCASoft, Inc., a blockchain startup based in California. Sprint is the fourth-largest telecom provider in the US, according to data from Statista, after Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.

Guild of Guardians Built to 'Win' the Web2 Mobile Space: Game Director

13:18

Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO

05:10

Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny

04:07

The first video of the year 2024

40:07

The last regression video of the year 3.67.0

For now, it appears the partnership is still in its early stages, as the three companies said today that joint trials won’t begin until June, leveraging a platform developed by TBCASoft to connect the telecom’s systems together.

Sprint confirmed the partnership when reached, with a representative telling CoinDesk:

“We entered this partnership with SoftBank and TBCASoft as part of our mutual interest to understand the full potential of blockchain to improve carrier-to-carrier interactions and, ultimately, end-user enhancements to further simplify transactions for customers.”

Sprint is by no means alone in its work on blockchain among the world’s telecoms.

A number of firms in the space have sought to obtain patents related to the tech in the past two years, including AT&T, British Telecommunications PLC and Verizon.

Like Sprint, some telecoms have sought collaborative efforts around blockchain. Swisscom AG, which is state-owned, became a member of the Linux Foundation-led Hyperledger blockchain project in December, and UAE-based Du joined Dubai’s Global Blockchain Council last year as well.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Recommended for you:

Others, including France-based Orange, have moved to invest in the space directly.

Image Credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.