Tech Mahindra has announced securing the first-ever licensing agreement for Cricket Wireless’s Point of Sale (POS) system, “Aktivate”. Cricket Wireless, a prepaid wireless provider wholly owned by AT&T, offers affordable, no-annual-contract mobile services in the US powered by AT&T’s nationwide 5G network.
This agreement marks the first time that Cricket Wireless has licensed its intellectual property (IP) to a third party. It will enable Tech Mahindra to integrate Aktivate into its comprehensive suite of solutions for wireless service providers globally. Aktivate, a modern and intuitive mobile-first POS, powers Cricket’s more than 4000 retail outlets, enabling store agents to quickly assist customers and provide superior experiences. Additionally, the solution incorporates generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into the interface to assist agents with any questions they have while serving customers.
The licensing agreement represents a significant milestone in an ongoing collaboration between Tech Mahindra and Cricket Wireless, showcasing their shared commitment to innovation in the telecommunications sector. Tech Mahindra has previously played a role in developing Aktivate, providing technical talent and collaborating on the rollout of new features to support the product’s evolution since its launch in 2018.
The implementation of this agreement will begin immediately, with Tech Mahindra integrating Aktivate into its suite of telecommunications solutions and strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two organizations. Tech Mahindra will now offer this proven solution to wireless providers in markets where Cricket Wireless does not currently operate.
Commenting on the announcement, Manish Mangal, chief technology officer, telecom and global business head, network services, Tech Mahindra, said, “Traditional POS systems are often function-driven and fragmented. The strategic licensing agreement with AT&T to integrate Aktivate will enhance our existing portfolio, providing user-friendly GenAI-driven POS systems that increase sales, reduce training time, and improve customer satisfaction. Looking forward, we plan to incorporate Agentic AI to autonomously perform tasks, enabling store agents to focus fully on interacting with their customers.”
Meanwhile, Matt Haymons, chief information officer, Cricket Wireless, said, “Having worked with Tech Mahindra throughout Aktivate’s development journey, I believe this agreement will generate significant value for both organisations. Tech Mahindra’s technical expertise and industry knowledge make them a strong collaborator to expand Aktivate’s reach to new markets.”
In addition, Scott Frank, vice president, IP Sales, AT&T, said, “This licensing agreement demonstrates the innovative software development capabilities within AT&T and highlights how strategic agreements can create additional value streams from our technology investments. By working closely with trusted third parties like Tech Mahindra, we can maximise the return on our development efforts while helping advance the broader telecommunications industry.”
