AT&T bought T-Mobile us

[Baconator]

Q&A: More Information About AT&T Acquisition of T-Mobile USA

 

[ls377]

Sprint bought a ton of subscribers when they bought them through their purchase of nextel. That didn't do them much good, did it?

That was a different time, the carriers were just establishing their places. If Sprint and T-mobile (replacing Nextel) merged now, we'd be talking about 3 relatively equal carriers.

Nextel (#4-5ish) pus Sprint (#3) equals Sprint...still at #3.
AT&T (#2) plus T-mobile (#4) equals AT&T at #1.

 

[Baconator]

I hope I get to keep my no contract plan

 

[krazy]

If Sprint and T-mobile (replacing Nextel) merged now, we'd be talking about 3 relatively equal carriers.

I respectfully disagree. The number of subscribers doesn't mean anything and in-fact could be a negative given the additional use of a finite amount of bandwidth. The fact remains AT&T and T-mobile are going to be spending time integrating their networks, back office systems, advertising, relationships with vendors, etc. Meanwhile VZW will be focusing on continuing to improve their network which is already by far the best in class at this point. In terms of actual network and service it's Verizon and then everyone else. AT&T recognized this and felt they had to make a move because they were being left behind. If they thought they were on par they wouldn't be writing a $40B check.

 

[pitmasterme]

Was really hoping Sprint would be dropping this ball........would've liked an expanded phone line up.......




Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk

 

[Verdes8891]

I respectfully disagree. The number of subscribers doesn't mean anything and in-fact could be a negative given the additional use of a finite amount of bandwidth. The fact remains AT&T and T-mobile are going to be spending time integrating their networks, back office systems, advertising, relationships with vendors, etc. Meanwhile VZW will be focusing on continuing to improve their network which is already by far the best in class at this point. In terms of actual network and service it's Verizon and then everyone else. AT&T recognized this and felt they had to make a move because they were being left behind. If they thought they were on par they wouldn't be writing a $40B check.

Well it still is going to depend on the area in which you live. Where i live, there are only 2 really good carriers. Sprint and US Cellular. Verizon, AT&T AND Tmobile suck in coverage. So for me, this doesnt really make any difference. But still, in the areas that verizon is good and AT&T is bad, maybe it will make it better. Who knows, Also realize something, when AT&T combines with Tmobile, they will also aquire a good portion of Tmobiles existing network, therefore strengthening its own and vice versa for current Tmobile customers.

 

[grayfox99]

I'm so worried that T-mobile's plans are going to be gutted, and I think it goes without saying that you can say bye bye to their unlimited plans. This changes everything for me I was planning on jumping ship from Verizon, but I want nothing to do with AT&T.

 

[RUSH]

That's just wrong in so many ways.

Now, the saga begins. [ •> ]

 

[chefmorry]

I'm a current TMO customer and have been eligible for an upgrade since November. I've always been a Blackberry user, and have been on the verge of switching to Android. I've been waiting for a device to my liking to come out.

With this current merger on the horizon, should I upgrade immediately, so I'll be eligible again shortly after the merger takes place, or should I sit it out a few more months?

Anyone see any reason to either upgrade NOW, or to sit it out a couple more months?

 

[Verdes8891]

I'm a current TMO customer and have been eligible for an upgrade since November. I've always been a Blackberry user, and have been on the verge of switching to Android. I've been waiting for a device to my liking to come out.

With this current merger on the horizon, should I upgrade immediately, so I'll be eligible again shortly after the merger takes place, or should I sit it out a few more months?

Anyone see any reason to either upgrade NOW, or to sit it out a couple more months?

It shouldnt matter if you do it now or wait a few more months other then T mobile might announce some new devices soon. That would be the only reason i would wait. It is going to be standard buisness until the merger happens according to both AT&T and Tmobile.

 

[krazy]

The deal won't close for at least 12 month. There is also a chance that the regulators don't allow it for antitrust reasons although it probably will go through.

 

[krazy]

Well it still is going to depend on the area in which you live. Where i live, there are only 2 really good carriers. Sprint and US Cellular. Verizon, AT&T AND Tmobile suck in coverage. So for me, this doesnt really make any difference. But still, in the areas that verizon is good and AT&T is bad, maybe it will make it better. Who knows, Also realize something, when AT&T combines with Tmobile, they will also aquire a good portion of Tmobiles existing network, therefore strengthening its own and vice versa for current Tmobile customers.

It's not as simple as flipping a switch and letting each AT&T subscriber (with AT&T phones) have access to the other network and vice-versa. It'll take time to integrate the networks with the handsets. Meanwhile VZW will continue to expand their network/lead over the competition.

 

[Verdes8891]

It's not as simple as flipping a switch and letting each AT&T subscriber (with AT&T phones) have access to the other network and vice-versa. It'll take time to integrate the networks with the handsets. Meanwhile VZW will continue to expand their network/lead over the competition.

Never said it was going to be as simple as flipping a switch. It will take time to do everything and merge everything, but the end results are still going to be the same. A stronger network for both current AT&T and Tmobile customers.

 

[ls377]

I respectfully disagree. The number of subscribers doesn't mean anything and in-fact could be a negative given the additional use of a finite amount of bandwidth. The fact remains AT&T and T-mobile are going to be spending time integrating their networks, back office systems, advertising, relationships with vendors, etc. Meanwhile VZW will be focusing on continuing to improve their network which is already by far the best in class at this point. In terms of actual network and service it's Verizon and then everyone else. AT&T recognized this and felt they had to make a move because they were being left behind. If they thought they were on par they wouldn't be writing a $40B check.

They also now have almost twice the resources, and the network won't be hard to integrate. Just throw the 1700mhz band in future phones, and it works.

That 1700mhz band is barely saturated. Imagine if you're in a city, and your phone is getting crap from current AT&T 3G...it can just flip to the 1700 band, and be good to go. They also now have an extra band to build out LTE, something Verizon doesn't have.

You may not see it for a few years, but AT&T is planning for the future, and this makes a lot of sense for them.

 

[krazy]

Never said it was going to be as simple as flipping a switch. It will take time to do everything and merge everything, but the end results are still going to be the same. A stronger network for both current AT&T and Tmobile customers.

Stronger relative to what? It's going to take several years and a lot of noise in wasting time integrating the networks and all of the other crap I mentioned. If AT&T would have spent $40B building out a LTE network using their existing platform who's to stay the results wouldn't have been just as good? And as I said it doesn't matter if the combination will be better it's how the combination will be relative to VZW.

 

[krazy]

They also now have almost twice the resources, and the network won't be hard to integrate. Just throw the 1700mhz band in future phones, and it works.

That 1700mhz band is barely saturated. Imagine if you're in a city, and your phone is getting crap from current AT&T 3G...it can just flip to the 1700 band, and be good to go. They also now have an extra band to build out LTE, something Verizon doesn't have.

You may not see it for a few years, but AT&T is planning for the future, and this makes a lot of sense for them.

What do you mean by "they now have almost twice the resources"? They are going to be spending time putting those inferior resources together. Meanwhile VZW will continue to build out their network which is already better than both of the others. This is basically AT&T giving up on their "4G" network. They are relying 100% now on T-mob's which means it's VZW's vs. T-mob. I'll take VZW in that race all day long.

 

[ls377]

Stronger relative to what? It's going to take several years and a lot of noise in wasting time integrating the networks and all of the other crap I mentioned. If AT&T would have spent $40B building out a LTE network using their existing platform who's to stay the results wouldn't have been just as good? And as I said it doesn't matter if the combination will be better it's how the combination will be relative to VZW.

I doubt that $40 billion is pure cash. Most of it is probably stock or something harder to turn into capital.

Like I said, it's that 1700mhz band. Five years from now, when Verizon's LTE is fully under load, AT&T is going to look smart.

 

[Verdes8891]

Stronger relative to what? It's going to take several years and a lot of noise in wasting time integrating the networks and all of the other crap I mentioned. If AT&T would have spent $40B building out a LTE network using their existing platform who's to stay the results wouldn't have been just as good? And as I said it doesn't matter if the combination will be better it's how the combination will be relative to VZW.

Uh huh, Well i am going to end this right here because, well, i am not even on any of these networks, Sprint haha.

Plus, i was not even trying to turn this into a competition saying that it was going to put them above Verizon, i could care less really. So, no real reason to swoop in there and throw verizon into the mix, becasue this has no direct affect to them. Relax there fan boy

 

[ls377]

What do you mean by "they now have almost twice the resources"? They are going to be spending time putting those inferior resources together. Meanwhile VZW will continue to build out their network which is already better than both of the others. This is basically AT&T giving up on their "4G" network. They are relying 100% now on T-mob's which means it's VZW's vs. T-mob. I'll take VZW in that race all day long.

AT&T has been planning LTE for a long time. I bet the only reason the call the current 4G "4G" is because they couldn't afford to be left behind.

And by twice the resources, I mean that they have twice the manpower/capital, so while AT&T is building out the network, T-mobile can be integrating everything.

 

[krazy]

I doubt that $40 billion is pure cash. Most of it is probably stock or something harder to turn into capital.

Like I said, it's that 1700mhz band. Five years from now, when Verizon's LTE is fully under load, AT&T is going to look smart.

Issuing stock is not free it's a lot more expensive than spending cash. That's basic financial theory. Issuing stock is the most expensive way to pay for something.

five year from now VZW will have a fully built out network and AT&T will be relying on T-mobile, the 4th player in the game, for its future.