DISH Wireless and Cardano cryptocurrency creator Input Output Global (IOG) recently announced that they’ve entered a partnership to see how the companies can use distributed ledger technologies (DLT) in their businesses. The goal is to boost customer loyalty programs and simplify connecting businesses with customers.
Using the Cardano blockchain, customers for Boost Mobile, DISH, and Sling will see an immediate boost (no pun intended) from the partnership. Boost Mobile EVP Stephen Stokols foresees that DISH will give customers loyalty points when they subscribe to Boost “with the blockchain cryptocurrency making it easier for those rewards to be cashed in with other companies.”
Stokols said that the blockchain technology will give DISH a value prop that other operators had “given away to app stores and software providers.” He also added that the cryptocurrency will potentially grow more quickly than airline loyalty schemes that are based on traditional currency. Stokols said that by DISH offering cryptocurrency, the collaboration will provide the means to “the underserved, underbanked population.”
Stokols noted that using blockchain technology will be able to provide a secure digital identity to its customers.
“I see DISH as a rebel in the telco space, dating back to the early days of the company. They’ve gone through many iterations and innovations, and every step of the way they were always leading and transforming their entire industry. Today, when we look at telco, we see intersections between the use of identity and the movement of data, and as DISH unleashes its next-generation network, we see tremendous opportunity to move these innovations forward together,” said Charles Hoskinson, founder, and CEO of IOG.
“DISH has always been a leader in innovation within its business and industry. With this endeavor, we find ourselves at the intersection of two rapidly changing and radically transformative industries; blockchain and telecommunications. Both ecosystems somewhat depend on each other for survival and scale, while maintaining security and privacy. It’s a really exciting time in both fields, and we’re thrilled to be working with Charles, the IOG team, and the Cardano community to develop great systems that many will find useful,” said Chris Ergen, head of the DISH Wireless Office of Innovation.
Sources: Light Reading and Mobile World Live
