Tech Mahindra just made history with Cricket Wireless—Here’s what it means for telecom retail

Tech Mahindra, a global leader in digital transformation and telecommunications solutions, has secured an exclusive licensing agreement for Cricket Wireless’s Aktivate POS system, marking a significant milestone in telecom retail technology. This deal represents the first time Cricket Wireless, a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T, has licensed its proprietary point-of-sale (POS) technology to an external partner.

With this agreement, Tech Mahindra will integrate the Aktivate POS system into its portfolio of digital solutions, enabling wireless service providers globally to enhance retail telecom operations with AI-driven technology. The platform, designed to streamline customer interactions, optimize sales processes, and improve overall in-store experiences, is already in use across Cricket Wireless’s 4,000+ retail locations. The expansion of this AI-powered POS system beyond Cricket Wireless’s network is expected to transform retail strategies for telecom providers worldwide.

How Will Tech Mahindra’s Licensing of Aktivate POS System Impact Telecom Retail?

The integration of the Aktivate POS system into Tech Mahindra’s telecom solutions is expected to revolutionize how wireless service providers manage customer transactions and store operations. Traditional point-of-sale systems in telecom retail have long been function-driven and fragmented, often requiring extensive training and manual intervention. By adopting AI-driven retail technology, wireless providers can automate key aspects of their sales process, reducing agent workload while enhancing customer engagement.

The Aktivate POS system is built with a mobile-first design, incorporating generative AI (GenAI) features that support retail agents in real-time. The system assists with customer inquiries, product recommendations, and transaction processing, making it easier for store representatives to deliver seamless telecom retail experiences. With the addition of Agentic AI, Tech Mahindra plans to introduce further automation capabilities, allowing routine retail tasks to be performed autonomously while enabling store agents to focus on personalized customer interactions.

By licensing this AI-powered POS system, Tech Mahindra is positioning itself as a leader in telecom digital transformation, offering a solution that not only enhances in-store efficiency but also aligns with the industry’s push toward intelligent automation.

What Makes the Aktivate POS System a Game-Changer for Wireless Retail?

The Aktivate POS system stands out from conventional point-of-sale software due to its AI-driven functionality, which optimizes sales processes and customer support. Unlike legacy systems that rely on static interfaces, Aktivate POS system integrates real-time AI assistance, providing store agents with contextual recommendations and troubleshooting support. This innovation reduces onboarding and training time for employees while improving overall service quality.

Incorporating AI into telecom retail technology also enables businesses to gather valuable insights into customer behavior, inventory management, and service trends. By analyzing real-time data, Aktivate POS system helps telecom providers make data-driven decisions to enhance sales strategies and customer retention. The platform’s ability to support multiple languages and adapt to regional market needs further expands its potential for global telecom retail operations.

Tech Mahindra’s expertise in telecom systems integration ensures a smooth transition for wireless providers looking to implement this technology. By leveraging its deep knowledge of AI in telecom, the company aims to customize the Aktivate POS system for diverse market requirements, ensuring that retailers worldwide benefit from its advanced capabilities.

How Does This Licensing Agreement Strengthen the Partnership Between Tech Mahindra and Cricket Wireless?

The licensing deal builds on an existing collaboration between Tech Mahindra and Cricket Wireless, which dates back to the development phase of Aktivate POS system. Tech Mahindra has played a key role in the system’s evolution since its launch in 2018, providing technical expertise and assisting with feature enhancements. The decision to license the AI-powered POS solution underscores the mutual commitment of both companies to innovation in the wireless retail industry.

By expanding the reach of Aktivate POS system, Tech Mahindra and Cricket Wireless aim to set a new standard for telecom retail operations, offering a model that other wireless providers can adopt to improve customer service and operational efficiency. The agreement also highlights the growing importance of AI-driven telecom solutions in reshaping how service providers interact with customers.

For Cricket Wireless, the partnership with Tech Mahindra demonstrates the broader potential of its AI-powered point-of-sale technology. By extending its licensing strategy beyond its own retail network, Cricket Wireless is exploring new revenue streams while contributing to the advancement of telecom retail automation.

What Are the Broader Implications of AI-Powered POS Systems in Telecom Retail?

The introduction of AI-powered POS systems like Aktivate POS system signals a shift toward intelligent automation in telecom retail. As wireless service providers seek to modernize their operations, AI-driven platforms offer a competitive advantage by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving customer engagement.

Tech Mahindra’s decision to integrate Aktivate POS system into its global offerings aligns with its broader strategy of driving digital transformation in telecom. With over 250 telecom customers across 90 countries, Tech Mahindra is positioned to scale AI-powered POS solutions to markets that require next-generation telecom retail technology.

This licensing agreement also reflects a growing trend in AI-driven telecom solutions, where software development investments are being leveraged to create new business opportunities. By collaborating with industry leaders, Tech Mahindra is demonstrating how strategic partnerships can accelerate innovation and generate additional value for telecom service providers worldwide.

How Does Tech Mahindra’s Broader AI Strategy Fit Into This Expansion?

The licensing of Aktivate POS system is part of Tech Mahindra’s ongoing commitment to integrating AI-powered solutions in telecom. In late February 2025, the company announced its membership in the AI-RAN Alliance, a global initiative dedicated to advancing AI-powered Radio Access Networks (RAN). This move underscores Tech Mahindra’s strategic focus on leveraging artificial intelligence in telecom, from retail operations to 5G network optimization.

With a strong presence in telecom technology integration, Tech Mahindra continues to expand its capabilities in AI, Open RAN, and network automation. The adoption of AI-driven telecom solutions is expected to redefine industry standards, making technologies like Aktivate POS system essential for service providers aiming to stay ahead in a competitive market.

As telecom operators increasingly turn to AI for customer service automation, POS system modernization, and network optimization, Tech Mahindra’s latest licensing agreement reinforces its position as a key player in telecom digital transformation.