Deutsche Telekom CEO Rene Obermann is jumping ship to become the CEO of Ziggo, a communications company that provides telephony, data communications and electronic payment systems solutions for small and large business markets.

In a statement, Ziggo said its board has agreed to appoint Obermann as the new CEO of Ziggo effective January 1, 2014. Obermann will replace existing Ziggo CEO Bernard Dijkhuizen, who had previously announced that he will retire next year. 

Obermann, who has been with Deutsche Telekom for 15 years, said in a statement that he is pleased to be joining Ziggo. 

“This opportunity fulfills my strong wish as an entrepreneur to move closer to operational activities and to be involved in a fast changing world of offering products and services in media and entertainment,” Obermann said. “Ziggo therefore makes an ideal match.” 

Obermann was instrumental in putting together the T-Mobile USA/MetroPCS merger, which is now awaiting regulatory approval. Obermann also had a hand in AT&T’s failed acquisition of T-Mobile USA.

Deutsche Telekom has confirmed that CFO Timotheus Höttges will assume Obermann’s position on January 1.