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[NEWS] T-Mobile & Sprint merger is possible

http://www.businessinsider.com/t-mobile-usa-might-sell-to-sprint-2011-3
Saw this today and thought I'd share.
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I don't see how that merger would work. I personally don't like sprints coverage.
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First off, I highly doubt that the US gov't would let a merger like this go down.
Second, I wouldn't be surprised that IF it happened, they would stay as 2 separate companies at the consumer level, but connected via management. It just doesn't make sense for 1 company to offer both GSM and CDMA concurrently. Are they just going to start only taking on handsets that operate with both CDMA and GSM? I just don't find this likely.
I sure hope that this doesn't happen. CDMA really needs to die, and I personally have seen the light of GSM and of T-mobiles slightly more customer-friendly approach. More than likely because their subscriber numbers are dwindelling, but the fact that they openly offer no-contract plans, cheap plans, and are flexible on many different things, I just hope they stick around the way they are. I know this isn't the most profitable business model (but it is still profitable) compared to Verizon, but its one that is necessary for those of us who see the ridiculousness of what the other carriers are charging.
I don't want Sprint + T-mobile to turn into another Verizon. It will just give them more ability to start charging $110 for unlimited plans like Verizon and AT&T do. Choices are good! People like Verizon, and their service is great, but I like my money more than I like Verizon.

Sprint sucks. Tmo would die like nextel is this happened. And I would be ****ed having to run back to verizon
From my permarooted 1209mhz G2 with CM7 nightly 6

This has nothing to do with a single company implementing both GSM and CDMA. This is because SPRINT WANTS GSM, and tmobile already exists.
In upgrading to GSM, there are precisely two options; either implement it yourself (Canada/Belus), or buy one that's ready made.

dhkr234 said:
This has nothing to do with a single company implementing both GSM and CDMA. This is because SPRINT WANTS GSM, and tmobile already exists.
In upgrading to GSM, there are precisely two options; either implement it yourself (Canada/Belus), or buy one that's ready made.
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This is definitely interesting, but it makes sense. WiMAX sucks compared to the other technologies available, and GSM is just better overall too.

I read that an industry analyst said this is likely T-Mobile selling their towers to Sprint and Sprint leasing them back.
I dunno if I believe that either, but that seems more likely to me than a straight up merger.

martonikaj said:
First off, I highly doubt that the US gov't would let a merger like this go down.
Second, I wouldn't be surprised that IF it happened, they would stay as 2 separate companies at the consumer level, but connected via management. It just doesn't make sense for 1 company to offer both GSM and CDMA concurrently. Are they just going to start only taking on handsets that operate with both CDMA and GSM? I just don't find this likely.
I sure hope that this doesn't happen. CDMA really needs to die, and I personally have seen the light of GSM and of T-mobiles slightly more customer-friendly approach. More than likely because their subscriber numbers are dwindelling, but the fact that they openly offer no-contract plans, cheap plans, and are flexible on many different things, I just hope they stick around the way they are. I know this isn't the most profitable business model (but it is still profitable) compared to Verizon, but its one that is necessary for those of us who see the ridiculousness of what the other carriers are charging.
I don't want Sprint + T-mobile to turn into another Verizon. It will just give them more ability to start charging $110 for unlimited plans like Verizon and AT&T do. Choices are good! People like Verizon, and their service is great, but I like my money more than I like Verizon.
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What about Cingular and At&t? They were allowed to merge along with Sirius and XM... apparently the goverment doesn't care about monopolies. Excuse my spelling lol! Heck, at&t is back as mama bell. They were broken up but they're back now

sino8r said:
What about Cingular and At&t? They were allowed to merge along with Sirius and XM... apparently the goverment doesn't care about monopolies. Excuse my spelling lol! Heck, at&t is back as mama bell. They were broken up but they're back now
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True - any opposition from the gov quit when they took M$ to court and they realized that they had more money to spend on lawyers then the government could ever muster.
After this exon mobile merged, making the largest company ever known to man and there has never been a peep about monopoly since.
Since the government is pretty much funded by public enterprise at this point I wouldn't expect them to step in.
PS **** Sprint - they blow - the rumor before this one was that they were going to abandon all of their Clear 4G WiMax ancient bull**** and go to LTE ... so whatever

I've been a tmo customer for 10+ years (well, Omnipoint, voicestream and then T-Mo.) Overall, I've been pretty happy with them.
I was also a Sprint customer, briefly. There wasn't anything wrong with the service, the phone selection (for back then, pre smartphone) was OK, and they had coverage where I needed it.
However, it seems every bill, they messed something up and I had to spend 1-2 hours on hold and dealing with their crap customer service to get it fixed.
Every. Goddamn. Month.
That got old quick.
This was a while ago, perhaps things have changed, I don't know. I did swear "never again" when I finally gave up in disgust and cancelled.
I sincerely hope this doesn't happen.

I have been with T-Mobile over 14 years (Powertel, Voicestream, T-Mobile) and the only time I had issues was back in 2004 when I was stationed at Camp Pendleton. They didn't have towers on the base, therefore no reception, but as soon as I drove off, full bars the whole way. If T-Mobile was to merge with AT&T, and AT&T be the dominate company, I'm gone!
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA Premium App

T-Mobile Purchased by..... ATT

Edit: 05/01/11: Visit http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/hotdocket/list and let the FCC know about your opinions in regards to this.
Edit 03/20/11: http://newsroom.t-mobile.com/articles/more-information-att-acquires-tmobile
AT&T to Acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom
Provides Fast, Efficient and Certain Solution to Impending Spectrum Exhaust Challenges Facing AT&T and T-Mobile USA in Key Markets Due to Explosive Demand for Mobile Broadband
Enhances Network Capacity, Output and Quality in Near Term for Both Companies' Customers
...
DALLAS & BONN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and Deutsche Telekom AG (FWB: DTE) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AT&T will acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom in a cash-and-stock transaction currently valued at approximately $39 billion. The agreement has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies.
"This transaction represents a major commitment to strengthen and expand critical infrastructure for our nation's future."
AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile USA provides an optimal combination of network assets to add capacity sooner than any alternative, and it provides an opportunity to improve network quality in the near term for both companies' customers. In addition, it provides a fast, efficient and certain solution to the impending exhaustion of wireless spectrum in some markets, which limits both companies' ability to meet the ongoing explosive demand for mobile broadband.
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http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/20/atandt-agrees-to-buy-t-mobile-from-deutsche-telekom/
http://www.tmonews.com/2011/03/breaking-att-acquires-t-mobile-from-deutsche-telekom/
WHAT THE..?

So much for t-mobiles awesome data plans. Goodbye Unlimited.

what are the chances that current Tmo's users will have their ETF waived? I will not stand for 2gb a month, that is absolutely crap

This is horrible!!!!!!!!!
Bye Bye unlimited data!!!! UGHGHGHGH

Bye bye unlimited, Hello Big Red? ahhh CDMA
AT&T Inc. (T: News ) said it has agreed to acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG in a cash-and-stock transaction currently valued at about $39 billion. The transaction is expected to close in about 12 months, subject to regulatory approvals, a reverse breakup fee in certain circumstances, and other customary regulatory and other closing conditions.
Hopefully this gets disapproved?

DO NOT WANT.
Sent from my bathroom, with toilet paper.

........ This sucks..
Going to sprint once it changes over

Google and Sprint, sitting in a tree...N-E-X-U-S-4G! I cant imagine why Google would transfer to AT&T as there carrier of choice.

I love T-Mobiles unlimited data and tethering
I also loved the no contract plan I am on, but it is time to move on. I think I'll switch to Sprint: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/20/atandt-agrees-to-buy-t-mobile-from-deutsche-telekom/

I already started a thread about this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000945

So you think we wont really see changes till next year then? Like in plans etc
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

Jrbourque said:
So you think we wont really see changes till next year then? Like in plans etc
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
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We won't.. it has to go through approval through regulations. I'm hoping it won't be passed/approved.
We should totally start a petition or twitter trend topic on this and voice our opinions on AT&T buying out T-Mobile USA.

Ahh crapola! Makes more sense I guess - than Sprint buying Tmobile (due to the HSPA+), but if this means losing my "unlimited" everything - then, hello Sprint!

I am really worried about the future of the nexus line ...i guess it will go back to only available unsubsidized...ATT hates the android hacking community so I can't see them playing ball on the nexus
i am going to miss being able to afford my phone bill

I must be the only person who thinks this is good news... T-Mobile's data coverage in SLC is so spotty it's almost useless.

Will miss tmobile. . . Hello sprint. . . Wondering how quickly I can move my lines.
Sent from my MSM using XDA App

Guess once this goes through my next phone will be a Sprint Nexus. I won't do a 2GB data cap. This really sucks!!

newspeak said:
I am really worried about the future of the nexus line ...i guess it will go back to only available unsubsidized...ATT hates the android hacking community so I can't see them playing ball on the nexus
i am going to miss being able to afford my phone bill
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Yeah, it sucks that T-Mobile USA is being sold away because without a doubt it's the only carrier that really supports Android development. It has always encouraged it.
Like I said in a previous post:
We should totally start a petition or twitter trend topic on this and voice our opinions on AT&T buying out T-Mobile USA.
-- We should voice our opinions and do everything in our power to prevent this from happening. I don't use twitter, so yeah. If you want to start it up, I'll edit OP.

zephiK said:
I already started a thread about this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000945
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Did not see that until after i posted this one in a mix of rage and sorrow.
Mods, please delete this thread, it is just duplicate content

We need to get a petition going to stop this, and maybe even a second one to try to push Google to buy T-Mobile (If they are bent on selling and it was not just a too good to be true offer from AT&T)

AT&T set to aquire T-mobile for $39 billion

I've been a T-Mobile customer for seven or eight years now and have never regretted a moment of it. These people have always gone above and beyond to make me feel like I was worth something to them as a customer and a person. I haven't had to contact them often, but when I did, I always knew I would hang up the phone with a smile on my face. T-Mobile US has one of the best customer service departments in the world in terms of customer satisfaction. If I were planning to commit suicide, I would probably call T-Mobile, since I know they would be able to talk me down.
On the flip side of this is AT&T, with whom I've had some of the worst customer service and just service in general in all of my life. I started out with my first cellular device through Cingular Wireless. I wouldn't say they were the best service (they were far from it), but most of my friends and family were on the network and it was in the early days of the talk for free within the network deals. AT&T came along a few years later and ruined any creditability Cingular Wireless had provided me. When the networks in my area finally were updated to EDGE through AT&T, I immediately began having problems with dropped calls and spastic data rates. Calling to complain about this service garnered me a generic response from them along the lines of "What do you want me to do about it?" The customer should not be the one who suggests that the cellular connection to the tower needs to be reset.
After a full year of waiting out my contract and the remainder of my patience with them, I began searching for an alternative solution. I narrowed down my list to All-Tel and T-Mobile for their outstanding customer service. T-Mobile won me over, since, at the time, I was using my HP iPAQ hw6945 (HTC Sable), and needed a GSM network. Since that day, I have constantly raved about their phenomenal customer service, support and network speed. I was also blown away by their astonishingly competitive pricing.
I am currently paying the same $50 for service that I was when I signed up initially. I have a plan consisting of 1000 minutes a month (unlimited for me), unlimited text, and unlimited data ($30+$10+$10). This data plan also includes tethering for free. I haven't been under a contract with them since the first year I was with them, as it was required. I have never been hassled about updating my terms of service, or anything of the sort. It has been one completely happy ride other than the spotty 3G coverage which has been growing rapidly.
With all of this considered, I must say that I am completely shocked and appalled that the company is being sold off to the only other GSM network in the country with a national footprint: AT&T. Though the transaction isn't completely finalized yet, I see no reason why the FCC would oppose this as the also let Verizon's "Net Neutrality" rules pass, even though they were completely one-sided.
Other than customer service from AT&T (or lack thereof, rather), this also presents yet another problem for the customers of T-Mobile: 4G. We will now be set to move into AT&T's field of using LTE instead of HSPA+ or WiMax for our 4G coverage. For those of you who don't already know, LTE is not the happy trail to the Internet you may think.
The LTE standard was designed with carriers in mind, not consumers. This means that the format allows carriers to control the content they show you. You will begin seeing tiered data plans with access to partial content coming soon as the networks expand. For example, if you decide to get the cheapest data plan, you will not only be limited in maximum data caps, but also certain things like YouTube may be filtered out of your service because you would have to pay extra for it. AT&T and Verizon have already come out and said that this will happen with services like Skype and YouTube. WiMax does none of this as it was intended to be an open format set up with end users in mind. HSPA+ simply doesn't support the concept.
Am I the only one concerned here? I think if this does go through, I'll be booking it over the Sprint. I am not fond of CDMA networks, but it's FAR better than the alternative.
Sources:
Lots of good LTE vs. WiMax links in this thread
AT&T/T-Mobile US acquisition details

AT&T is taking over T- Mobile.

Well said Cajunflavoredbob. I went through similar experiences that you speak of. Like I said in another thread, after AT&T stuck me hard, I vowed never to give them my business again. Now after hearing this news, I will end up eating my own words!
I have the Touch Pro2 (T-mobile brand) and I really like this phone, especially after the modified ROMs here on this site. I have no intention to get another phone. So now I have to wait until this deal gets finalized and then determine if keeping this phone is worth going through the headaches with AT&T all over again.

All plans will be grandfathered. Also better service coverage too, so I don't think it will be so bad. I hope we can use At&t frequency phones on a T-Mobile service.

We have so many threads about this topic.

Androidboy35961 said:
We have so many threads about this topic.
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Care to share which ones? I looked through this forum and hadn't found a single one talking about the acquisition. If I had, then I wouldn't have started this thread. If there are threads about it in other areas of the site, then there isn't much I can do about that as those threads would be in the wrong place. This thread was started to allow open general discussion of the subject. Obviously, if threads you may be referring to are in device specific forums, then not everyone is going to see them.

I don't know much about the world of mergers except I read that this one will take at least 12 months. Is this a done deal? Or is there something sufficiently monopolistic about it that could run into legal troubles?
Jake

jakfish said:
I don't know much about the world of mergers except I read that this one will take at least 12 months. Is this a done deal? Or is there something sufficiently monopolistic about it that could run into legal troubles?
Jake
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The deal could take up to a year to finalize if it is allowed. This acquisition would make AT&T the only nation wide GSM carrier. AT&T is also looking to acquire more radio spectrum from Qualcomm who had those FloTV things for a while that bombed. It still has a lot of red tape to go through, but, honestly, I doubt that it will run into much opposition unfortunately. The other downside to this is that we now know that DT is looking to offload T-Mobile US to the highest bidder. Before this, there was a rumor about Sprint trying to acquire the company. I doubt Sprint can afford the price tag on T-Mobile now that AT&T has set the bar. It is a loose-loose situation for T-Mobile customers. No matter what happens, Big Daddy is still putting up TMoUS for sale. The question now becomes, who will get it in the end?

if this goes through im going to Sprint because i hate AT&T AND dont like the idea of youtube being a premium service on Verizon. but isnt this deal like monopoly. i doubt the US government will allow this too happen without some legal troubles and a lot of money being payed to the government.

The only positive things I can see out of this, are that a) it's a true gsm marriage, which continues to maintain a world flavor to the phone and b) AT&T will have boatload of different bands: 1700, 2100, and whatever AT&T uses. That should free up 4G considerably.
Had T-Mobile and Sprint gotten together, I just can't see the CDMA-GSM thing. What were they going to use, half a sim card?
But I'm old enough to remember the bad AT&T days and can't feel that these will be any better.
Jake

AT&T is not that bad..lol

I have been with T-mobile since the company was Voicestream... Im hurt to see DT sell us out like this I hope google will outbid AT&T because I dont like any of the other cellular providers.

Androidboy35961 said:
AT&T is not that bad..lol
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I am very glad to hear someone speak well of AT&T, because my personal experience has not been good. I am convinced that CFB is dead-on with his assessment about why they purchased T-Mobile (his LTE argument). This is NOT even remotely good for the consumer.
I know only one person who has been happy with Sprint (out of dozens), but they seem to be the least restrictive which may force me to give them another try. But they'll probably have the same indoor reception issues Verizon has - CDMA doesn't penetrate walls as well as GSM does. It's kind of funny: we have two groups of people huddled outside the office doors - smokers and Verizons customers.

FWIW:
http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03...es-but-will-consumers-see-the-benefit/?hpt=T2

jakfish said:
FWIW:
http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03...es-but-will-consumers-see-the-benefit/?hpt=T2
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I read that this morning before leaving for work. It doesn't help to ease my tensions about the acquisition.

Given that it's a Republican, hence laissez faire, House, I can't see them stopping this merger, but the initial political chatter is very much against it. That could be nothing more than posturing for constituents, but for AT&T to take over 80% of the mobile market in one fell swoop, politicians are really going to have to look the other way.
They often do, however,
Jake

. The question now becomes said:
Well stated, and an apt analogy! That is as well the conundrum of the new prisoners at the state prison...
ATT will play the part of Bubba perfectly!
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Everybody needs to take a deep, deep breath and calm down. We're a two cellular carrier household; T-Mobile and AT&T. According to T-Mobile at their home page they addressed several questions one being our current devices and plans and they said they will honor them. For many of us who have been with T-Mobile for example were with two other companies in the SE USA - PowerTel and VoiceStream. It was no secret Deutsch TeleComm had been shopping T-Mobile USA around for quite some time and their statement reflects they will be concentrating with their business in the countries of Germany and other European countries. Current trends suggest AT&T has a 50-50 chance at obtaining T-Mobile USA; however their lobby in Washington is strong and there has been no hint from the Obama administration to curtail this merger as other big name mergers have yet to be turned down. There will be stipulations and this will be watched very carefully. Judging my the speed which this has moved in the past two days, much of the legwork prior to announcement seems to had been done well in advance. Whether we like it or not; we're at the whelm of these companies and they are going to do what is in their best interest and we're all along for the ride; we have a choice whether we like it or not, it's whether there are enough of us after the two companies merge.

jakfish said:
Given that it's a Republican, hence laissez faire, House, I can't see them stopping this merger, but the initial political chatter is very much against it. That could be nothing more than posturing for constituents, but for AT&T to take over 80% of the mobile market in one fell swoop, politicians are really going to have to look the other way.
They often do, however,
Jake
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It actually not on the Republicans this time. Democrats are the ones fighting for a nation-wide broadband network. This merger would be the basis for that goal. Our president has outlined this several times before. I would not be surprised in the least if AT&T becomes a monopoly...again. It's not that they would look the other way, it's more about will they allow it to happen to further their goal? I'm all for a national broadband infrastructure, but AT&T is NOT the way to achieve that.

SnittyKitty said:
Everybody needs to take a deep, deep breath and calm down. We're a two cellular carrier household; T-Mobile and AT&T. According to T-Mobile at their home page they addressed several questions one being our current devices and plans and they said they will honor them. For many of us who have been with T-Mobile for example were with two other companies in the SE USA - PowerTel and VoiceStream. It was no secret Deutsch TeleComm had been shopping T-Mobile USA around for quite some time and their statement reflects they will be concentrating with their business in the countries of Germany and other European countries. Current trends suggest AT&T has a 50-50 chance at obtaining T-Mobile USA; however their lobby in Washington is strong and there has been no hint from the Obama administration to curtail this merger as other big name mergers have yet to be turned down. There will be stipulations and this will be watched very carefully. Judging my the speed which this has moved in the past two days, much of the legwork prior to announcement seems to had been done well in advance. Whether we like it or not; we're at the whelm of these companies and they are going to do what is in their best interest and we're all along for the ride; we have a choice whether we like it or not, it's whether there are enough of us after the two companies merge.
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Well, more than anything, this is a financial move for DT. They get a payout no matter what happens. If the merger goes through, they will get an 8% stake in AT&T as well as a DT board member on AT&T's board of directors. Even if the deal falls through by some chance, T-Mobile gets $3 billion, a roaming agreement, and a hefty chunk of spectrum for AT&T, just for doing nothing. Either way, DT wins. No matter what, T-Mobile customers loose.

AT&T / T-Mobile Merger

The AT&T / T-MOBILE Merger fell through .. YAY !!!

shEEEsh said:
The AT&T / T-MOBILE Merger fell through .. YAY !!!
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Now to get raped by at&t! Lol
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium

what? the xda home page says its falling apart... DOJ files against ATT

Mostly, I'm happy that the DOJ will attempt to block the merger, just on the basis that this merger will REDUCE the competition in the USA, to just AT&T, Verizon & Sprint, with a couple of smaller regional carriers left over.
On the down side, at&t "pledged" to bring around 5,000 jobs back to the USA, but, I'd take that with a grain of salt. AT&T wants this merger, because it would be cheaper to buy out t-mobile, than spend the money building out their 4G network.
AT&T is just cheap. Multi year profits, but they won't INVEST in their network.
As for the jobs coming back to the USA. They say that, but how many t-mobile jobs would be lost after a merger.
We are pretty much in the USA, held hostage now by Verizon & AT&T.

I've been with T-Mobile for over 10-years..... My monthly bill, including tax, is $67. That's 2000 minutes, free mobile-to-mobile, unlimited text / data and handset protection insurance. My wife's iPhone 4 on aTnT with 750 minutes, no insurance and limited texts is $128-something.... To make matters worse, my unlocked Streak running on T-Mobile's 2G network is usually FASTER than her iPhone on the DeathStar's "3G" network and I can't remember the last time I had a dropped call.
Having worked in PAC-fund management for many years, I wish this move by the Justice Dept. actually meant something.... I'm afraid it's just a placebo that may only lead to more detailed disclosure on aTnT's part, and a slight delay in the transaction.... but I seriously doubt the deal will be permanently stopped... We're just looking at DOJ's window dressing at the moment
Sent from my Dell Streak using xda premium

ShEEsh...... I really, REALLY hope I'm dead wrong about this.... I don't want to see my monthly bill double and get less than half the minutes and downright horrifying service from aTnT
Sent from my Dell Streak using xda premium

If the merger goes through I will probably go to Sprint or Verizon, who ever gets the iphone 5 when it comes out. I will NEVER use AT&T. I would go with MetroPCS, Boost, Virgin, a Walmart phone, a 7-eleven phone or ?? before I go to AT&T ..
I am preparing myself to hate my future phones if the merger goes through.

shEEEsh said:
If the merger goes through I will probably go to Sprint or Verizon, who ever gets the iphone 5 when it comes out. I will NEVER use AT&T. I would go with MetroPCS, Boost, Virgin, a Walmart phone, a 7-eleven phone or ?? before I go to AT&T ..
I am preparing myself to hate my future phones if the merger goes through.
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Virgin Motorola triumph is what I'll be looking at if it goes through. Decent phone and I'll save money for sure.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium

I was talking to a bunch of reps who happened to be in the radio shack store at my mall one day. Man where they so pissed about this merger. It would basically put Verizon and More than any SPRINT at the hands of AT&T's power. They were telling me something along the lines that it would most likely not happen because of a monopoly through AT&T even if they kept T-Mobile separate. It has something to do with Sprint buying T-Mobiles wavebands(or something like that) and if the merger went through they would no longer be able to have 4G at the rate T-Mobile was giving them but at a higher rate through AT&T. Essentially making Sprint have to put caps on data and raise rates. I have been an AT&T customer for about 15yrs now and have had very little problems with them to be honest. Yes the occasional dropped calls but no more than others have reported on other carriers. I will stay by them for as long as I can but they are starting to look very snudy!

Might not have a choice. If (when) the merger goes through, even though they say they won't, Verizon will make a play for Sprint (CDMA) to stay "competitive".
That will leave AT&T & Verizon as pretty much, the only 2 nationwide carriers.
The "agreements" between AT&T & Verizon, and the boost/virgin/walmart will probably go away (they are just being nice right now).
AT&T has spent the last 25 years reconstituting itself and has just about achieved it's goal of putting MaBell back together. Once it happens, you think prices are high & choice is poor now, just look out.
shEEEsh said:
If the merger goes through I will probably go to Sprint or Verizon, who ever gets the iphone 5 when it comes out. I will NEVER use AT&T. I would go with MetroPCS, Boost, Virgin, a Walmart phone, a 7-eleven phone or ?? before I go to AT&T ..
I am preparing myself to hate my future phones if the merger goes through.
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Why not just boycott the mofos then..? If only the U.S. citizens could band together we could easily control them. Without demand there is no resource for supply. Without supply there is no profit. Without profit there is no "MaBell". Make a boycott petition type deal. We can always start mass blogging and twitting to get started and word of mouuth and social networking will take the rest. With a set date and a little reassurance we could beat them down and pit em in their places, our servants of cellular communication, not as our f##$ing little to nothing no good capped and limited data sum butchering butt poking bafoon looking providers.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

There's very few alternatives for GSM, At&t and tmo own the vast majority of the towers. The few towers owned by 3rd parties are regional, so unless they all have sharing agreements you'll either be roaming or using at&t or tmo's towers out of region.
Towers dont magically sprout up out of nowhere, most cell providors that arnt tmo or at&t lease airtime off them or verizon or sprint. they could literally kill all their contracts and still stay afloat by selling airtime (this is oversimplified, i honestly dont know if they can be long-term viable, but short term definitely)
The only way to get really good cell service is to be a billionare and start your own company where you can dictate terms as pretty much every carrier on the planet has it's own issues and quirks (and moving to another country for good cell service is crazy)
Online petitions are what you DONT do to get stuff done. You're literally better off not giving a damn then using online petitions. Unless you can get several dozen million esignatures it's not worth anything.

Really don't envy the GSM situation over in the states.
Sent from my Dell Streak using xda premium

A petition doesn't get things done...? You ever read how class-axtion lawsuits are started...? Lol if say 10 million people all agreed to stop paying December 1st on their bills till they are satisfied with the compensation the cell provider will offer Wed get what we wanted. If there is no demand you cannot supply. Plain old economics people. 11th grade general class....
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Signing a petition would only show a general public dislike of the proposed merger..... Unfortunately, that has nothing to do with and cannot stop capitalism run amuck.... Regardless of the DoJ's disapproval of the deal, only the FCC alone can stop the deal by refusing to reassign T-Mobile's wireless spectrum over to aTnT..... However, all aTnT needs to do is pressure Congress (through campaign contributions), to support the deal (by saying it will create 5,000 new jobs in this economic downturn)...... But everyone knows there's no law that would prohibit aTnT from laying off tens of thousands after the deal is done. As much as I HATE aTnT, this deal WILL go through, unfortunately
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Sprint files suit to stop AT&T / T-Mobile merger *update* At&t strikes back lol

Sprint files suit to stop AT&T / T-Mobile merger *update* At&t strikes back lol
Looks like the US government isn't the only party looking to stand in the way of AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile. Sprint today announced that it has filed suit in federal court in the District of Columbia against AT&T, Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile. The filing outlines the carrier's concern that the proposed deal would harm consumers, corporate customers and carriers (such as, you know, Sprint), while transforming AT&T-Mobile and Verizon into a "duopoly." Of course, this isn't the first time the carrier has let the world know that it's not particularly pumped about the whole proposal. See the full litigious press release after the break.
source:http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/sprint-files-suit-to-stop-atandt-t-mobile-merger/

AT&T fires back against Sprint over T-Mobile acquisition suit
Well, that didn't take long. Sprint today revealed that it has filed a suit against AT&T's proposed T-Mobile purchase -- and now AT&T is hitting back with some less than flattering words. An AT&T spokesperson told Engadget, "this simply demonstrates what we've said all along -- Sprint is more interested in protecting itself than it is in promoting competition that benefits consumers." AT&T went on to promise a "vigorous fight" and reiterated that such a merger would ultimately prove beneficial to the industry and consumers, improving wireless service and solving spectrum concerns.
Source:http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/atandt-fires-back-against-sprint-over-t-mobile-acquisition-suit/
**** getting real

auau465121 said:
Well, that didn't take long. Sprint today revealed that it has filed a suit against AT&T's proposed T-Mobile purchase -- and now AT&T is hitting back with some less than flattering words. An AT&T spokesperson told Engadget, "this simply demonstrates what we've said all along -- Sprint is more interested in protecting itself than it is in promoting competition that benefits consumers." AT&T went on to promise a "vigorous fight" and reiterated that such a merger would ultimately prove beneficial to the industry and consumers, improving wireless service and solving spectrum concerns.
Source:http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/06/atandt-fires-back-against-sprint-over-t-mobile-acquisition-suit/
**** getting real
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How does at&t buying tmobile promote competition?
I'll wait.

Lol I liked the idea putting the movie wedding Crasher on the title.screen.
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culua said:
Lol I liked the idea putting the movie wedding Crasher on the title.screen.
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yeah that had me laughing too

mattykinsx said:
How does at&t buying tmobile promote competition?
I'll wait.
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Ha! AT&T sucks ass and they know it! For example, when AT&T first got the IPhone, it overwhelmed their network. AT&T STILL hasn't learned from their mistake(s).
I would rather go prepaid than have AT&T has a sole GSM carrier.
Also, I think and heard that there is a petition floating around contesting the AT&T merger/buyout of TMobile.

mattykinsx said:
How does at&t buying tmobile promote competition?
I'll wait.
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I have had T-mobile before. I didn't mind it. Taking our choice down to 3 from 4 decreases the competition. I can't see how this is good for consumers. Only argument I can see is that merging the two means their coverages merge but me living in a major city don't have coverage problems with any carrier. But better coverage doesn't mean better for consumer because that means ATT can continue to charge their high prices with less alternative.

jessejames111981 said:
I have had T-mobile before. I didn't mind it. Taking our choice down to 3 from 4 decreases the competition. I can't see how this is good for consumers. Only argument I can see is that merging the two means their coverages merge but me living in a major city don't have coverage problems with any carrier. But better coverage doesn't mean better for consumer because that means ATT can continue to charge their high prices with less alternative.
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It's important to note...
Their coverage will not merge, they will improve though.
Due to rules to prevent monopolies they will likely have to sell off some of the acquired spectrum.
At&t will gain, and the gains will be noticeable, but they won't gain every subscriber/tower from T-mobile.
But that's obviously not the problem with this merger.
And I'm yet to hear one good reason why this merger is "promoting" competition.

AT&T just has some wack ass plan prices. T-Mobile are a bunch of morons. I was having problems with my signal & this guy kept telling me to use WiFi calling & i asked him if it had WiFi on the phone & he said I don't know. I knew there was no Wifi on the phone but i wanted to see how much this guy even knew about phone. He had a computer right in front of him with the make & model of the phone i was using & could not figure out if it had Wifi. I finally told him this kind of phone does not have Wifi & he said ok we will send you one that does have it. lol. T-Mobile cut my friends phone off because he was 1 day late paying his bill, PFFT. What a joke. I wish Sprint would have bought T-Mobile, Then everyone would be happy. Sprint is by far the BEST company! I hope Sprint does stop AT&T from buying T-Mobile then turns around & buys them. Hope Sprint also gets the NFL contract back, They should have never let that go.

AT&T knows that having less companies allows them to control a market that is a need for us consumers. By having more companies providing a service in communications allows the customer to have a choice, which eventually will help in the price of the service. Any company, regardless of service by having less competition allows them price their service to benefit them, not the consumer.

let att have it. if they dont buy it, dt is already saying that they would rather shut down t-mo and sell off its assets rather than spin it off and do an ipo. either way, were going down to 3 carriers.

austin420 said:
let att have it. if they dont buy it, dt is already saying that they would rather shut down t-mo and sell off its assets rather than spin it off and do an ipo. either way, were going down to 3 carriers.
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I'd rather that happen then have ma bell back.
Your cell phone bill with thank the U.S. government/Sprint as well.