http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Leaked-ATT-Letter-Demolishes-Case-For-TMobile-Merger-115652
Yesterday a partially-redacted document briefly appeared on the FCC website --accidentally posted by a law firm working for AT&T on the $39 billion T-Mobile deal (somewhere there's a paralegal looking for work today). While AT&T engaged in damage control telling reporters that the document contained no new information -- our review of the doc shows that's simply not true. Data in the letter undermines AT&T's primary justification for the massive deal, while highlighting how AT&T is willing to pay a huge premium simply to reduce competition and keep T-Mobile out of Sprint's hands.
We've previously discussed how AT&T's claims of job gains and network investment gained by the deal aren't true, with overall network investment actually being reduced with the elimination of T-Mobile. While AT&T and the CWA are busy telling regulators the deal will increase network investment by $8 billion, out of the other side of their mouth AT&T has been telling investors the deal will reduce investment by $10 billion over 6 years. Based on historical averages T-Mobile would have invested $18 billion during that time frame, which means an overall reduction in investment.
Yet to get the deal approved, AT&T's key talking point to regulators and the press has been the claim that they need T-Mobile to increase LTE network coverage from 80% to 97% of the population. Except it has grown increasingly clear that AT&T doesn't need T-Mobile to accomplish much of anything, and likely would have arrived at 97% simply to keep pace with Verizon. AT&T, who has fewer customers and more spectrum than Verizon (or any other company for that matter), has all the resources and spectrum they need for uniform LTE coverage without this deal.
For the first time the letter pegs the cost of bringing AT&T's LTE coverage from 80% to 97% at $3.8 billion -- quite a cost difference from the $39 billion price tag on the T-Mobile deal. The push for 97% coverage apparently came from AT&T marketing, who was well aware that leaving LTE investment at 80% would leave them at a competitive disadvantage to Verizon. Marketing likely didn't want a repeat of the Luke Wilson map fiasco of a few years back, when Verizon made AT&T look foolish for poor 3G coverage.
The letter also notes that AT&T's supposed decision to "not" build out LTE to 97% was cemented during the first week of January, yet public documents (pdf) indicate that at the same time AT&T was already considering buying T-Mobile, having proposed the deal to Deutsche Telekom on January 15. In the letter, AT&T tries to make it seem like the decision to hold off on that 17% LTE expansion was based on costs. Yet the fact the company was willing to shell out $39 billion one week later, combined with AT&T's track record with these kinds of tactics, suggests AT&T executives knew that 80-97% expansion promise would be a useful carrot on a stick for politicians.
While the $39 billion price certainly delivers AT&T customers, equipment, employees, and spectrum, most of T-Mobile's network replicates AT&T's existing resources in major markets, and T-Mobile's network is significantly less robust in rural markets where AT&T would want to expand. While the deal provides AT&T with a shortcut to sluggish tower builds in a few select markets, by and large AT&T will be faced with terminating many redundant positions and decommissioning a lot of duplicative equipment. They'll also have to close a large number of retail operations and independent retailers.
Again, the reality appears to be that AT&T is giving Deutsche Telekom $39 billion primarily to reduce market competition. That price tag eliminates T-Mobile entirely -- and makes Sprint (and by proxy new LTE partner LightSquared and current partner Clearwire) more susceptible to failure in the face of 80% AT&T/Verizon market domination. How much do you think wireless broadband market dominance is worth to AT&T over the next decade? After all, AT&T will be first to tell you there's a wireless data "tsunami" coming, with AT&T and Verizon on the shore eagerly billing users up to $10 per gigabyte.
Regardless of the motivation behind rejecting 97% LTE deployment, the letter proves AT&T's claim they need T-Mobile to improve LTE coverage from 80-97% simply isn't true. That's a huge problem for AT&T, since nearly every politician and non-profit that has voiced support for the merger did so based largely on this buildout promise. It's also a problem when it comes to the DOJ review, since proof that AT&T could complete their LTE build for far less than the cost of this deal means the deal doesn't meet the DOJ's standard for merger-specific benefits.
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Wow I hope you're right and that this does throw a monkey wrench in the merger review... AT&T has notoriously wretched customer service & this is purely a power grab to squeeze out competition. These commercials about the merger being necessary to expand coverage to underserved populations looks like & smells like PR-spin BS. But, it seems like a lot of big players are coming out in favor of it... It'd be a great time to be an AT&T lobbyist right now.
interesting - but I think most of us were already aware of their false info since the get-go
TexasEpic4G said:
interesting - but I think most of us were already aware of their false info since the get-go
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Maybe we knew, but not most people. I hope it gets denied so Sprint can merge and catch up to the big red and at&t.
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Damn that's a lot of typing on an onscreen keyboard..
Edit: I see you just copied the article into the thread. Good info!
shane6374 said:
Damn that's a lot of typing on an onscreen keyboard..
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To be honest, I copy/pasted. But I could do it with my favorite, Swiftkey X keyboard.
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The merger has big tech industry and political support. If it does happen, we need to look at what assets ATT/TMobile will have to divest to meet approval, and which assets Sprint can buy up.
son of a ***** my ATT stock is going to take a dive on monday
murso74 said:
son of a ***** my ATT stock is going to take a dive on monday
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I'd take a look at Sprint's stock if this merger is declined. lol
Overstew said:
I'd take a look at Sprint's stock if this merger is declined. lol
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I'm planning on grabbing handfuls of it on Monday anyway.
The Root said:
I'm planning on grabbing handfuls of it on Monday anyway.
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Makes me wish I had the money to get into stock trading. But I'm sure it doesn't help that I don't know much about it, haha
Sprint's balance sheet is much too bloated with debt and an uncertain 4G future. I would invest in reliable companies like Exxon Mobil, Microsoft, Ford, and Walmart.
I'm glad you posted this not for the info that we already knew but for the fact that this merger should go down in flames now
Reading this made me so happy. I will starting as a retail associate for tmo within the next few weeks (been trying for 3 years!) And I'm def happy about this. **** at&t this merger is horrible and is a completely legit try at market dominance. Sprint needs to pick up tmo, no matter what the outcome of the different tech and spectrum being used is. It would put all 3 companies neck to neck. And since sprint's prices are the **** big red and apples main brown nosers will be force to compete, instead of raping your wallet.
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last thing sprint needs to do is integrate another new tech.
RushAOZ said:
Reading this made me so happy. I will starting as a retail associate for tmo within the next few weeks (been trying for 3 years!) And I'm def happy about this. **** at&t this merger is horrible and is a completely legit try at market dominance. Sprint needs to pick up tmo, no matter what the outcome of the different tech and spectrum being used is. It would put all 3 companies neck to neck. And since sprint's prices are the **** big red and apples main brown nosers will be force to compete, instead of raping your wallet.
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murso74 said:
last thing sprint needs to do is integrate another new tech.
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It's interesting to see both views on the subject. I'm all for Sprint grabbing T-Mobile. If another wireless carrier gets T-Mobile, Sprint will most likely go bankrupt and/or be bought out by another company instead. Sprint's options are to either buy or be bought. (At least that's my view of it).
Sprint's a great company that cares about it's customers, I just wish they were larger because they're the ones that have fair pricing.
Yeap. If I was Google Id pick up sprint and tmo... wasn't there talks about Google acquiring sprint or something. If Google owned its own network apple would be screwed
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RushAOZ said:
Yeap. If I was Google Id pick up sprint and tmo... wasn't there talks about Google acquiring sprint or something. If Google owned its own network apple would be screwed
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http://www.businessinsider.com/sprint-verizon-comcast-google-2011-3
Verizon stated they wouldn't buy Sprint, they're in too much debt (that link I cannot find), however, it was interesting that Comcast might buy Sprint. Then again, same thing. Sprint's too much in debt to be bought out right now. I'm very interested in seeing how this pans out.
Not to mention Google just announced purchasing Motorola Mobile. Verizon carries the most Motorola Products so far so who knows what will happen. What I like is that Motorola also develops and provides set top boxes and cable modems for most cable operators so I think this can help Google bring more into the home tv and internet service area.
that's it... google buys sprint, the att tomobile deal goes through... we have a 3 way race. google undercuts everyones prices, and everyone benifits!
and by everyone i mean me
Related
Just read over on Engadget how Sprint lost $760 million last quarter. Why do you think they continually do so bad? Is it because of poor sales or poor business/financial decisions (debt left over from merger or otherwise)? Their coverage is awesome, their 3G speeds are often better than Verizon's, they have 4G on tap, customer service has never given me any trouble, I can upgrade my phone annually, and the plans offer way more features and are still cheaper than the competition. The list is endless, there's really no other carrier I'd rather be on. Do others not feel the same way? Is their marketing failing?
I feel the same way. Their advertisements always seem good. I feel like they don't advertise as heavily as any of the other carriers here.
Maybe from all the expanding and changes they've done? Don't know though. I haven't had any problems at all. Their customer service always corrects problems, even crediting a lot of charges back.. and coverage is good. A lot happier then I was with at&t
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I'm sure the cost of upgrading to 4G has a lot to do with it. Plus I am ripping them off with my unlimited everything for $65 a month!!
Profit for a business is bad...profit=have to pay taxes!
tgruendler said:
Profit for a business is bad...profit=have to pay taxes!
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(Yoda voice)
Sound your logic is not..
Sprint screwed themselves and are still recovering from that terrible decision to merge with nextel.
It's because Sprint spends billions of dollars on Nascar instead of it's network.
UrbanMuppet said:
It's because Sprint spends billions of dollars on Nascar instead of it's network.
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ROFL!!!!!!!
UrbanMuppet said:
It's because Sprint spends billions of dollars on Nascar instead of it's network.
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Couldn't have said it better myself.
It wasnt until recently that they had good phones. I remember a few years back, most of their phones were garbage. Everyone jumpped ship and moved to ATT due to the fact that you could pull the sim card, and switch phones as you pleased. All the phones from Asia were flocking over to the US and everyone had some new Nokia, Ericson, or some other great phone.
Sprint had junk. Some of us probably rode that out, and FINALLY they are getting some good phones...I've been on Sprint for almost 12 years now. I did move to VZW for 2 years, but ended up coming back to Sprint.
makes you wonder how they are even sustainable loosing that type of money every quarter.
The Nextel merger is STILL hurting them badly. Plus, they offer the cheapest plans but for the longest time they did not have the devices people wanted. Now they have the devices but people are stuck in contracts with other carriers. Another thing is advertisement and word of mouth. Sprint has never had the most eye-catching commercials. Us former Palm Pre users know the effect bad or no advertisement can hurt you. And I agree, the Nascar thing is wasted money when you have to spend more money rolling out 4G nationwide.
nukedukem said:
I'm sure the cost of upgrading to 4G has a lot to do with it. Plus I am ripping them off with my unlimited everything for $65 a month!!
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They're ripping you off charging you $65 a month for what cost them >$10 a month actually (after negating handset subsidies of course).
davebu said:
They're ripping you off charging you $65 a month for what cost them >$10 a month actually (after negating handset subsidies of course).
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Yeah, it's obvious Sprint is making a killing off of their subscribers since they are rolling in profits *eyeroll*
DanBergundy said:
ROFL!!!!!!!
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Has ANYONE even clicked on the Nascar icon on their phone?
I suspect no one.
Nascar fans are not technology nerds like us.
Customer service is complete garbage where I'm at.
Compared to other company's there plans are pretty cheap 10 for data with smartphone (or is it 4g) and mostly everyone else is 25-30.
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My opinion is that when they took nextel under their wing, nextel was bleeding money like a stuck pig. I think nextel is still bleeding, and now they are siphoning sprint dry.
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You gotta be careful when trying to rescue a drowning person. They might pull you under while trying to save themselves.
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1. Inexpensive plans
2. Good customer service
3. Yearly phone upgrades
Its sad but maybe being a "better" company can actually hurt your bottom line. Don't forget that Verizon lost money last quarter too.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110320005040/en/ATT-Acquire-T-Mobile-USA-Deutsche-Telekom
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.
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Prepare to have crappy service.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOES!
We're in league with those iphoners xP
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As long as they don't rape my plan, I can live with it. Just means more people I can call on the same network.
This pretty much means bye bye to my G2. ATT is probably gonna raise the plan prices and get rid of unlimited data.
Goes to check out the Verizon android phones.
Man. I was on Cingular since it was SouthwesternBellWireless, and refused to deal with the snobs at AT&T. Then (sorta-kinda) I ended up on AT&T anyways, just dumped them for T-Mobile in November, and now I'm going to end up BACK on AT&T. I just can't freakin get away from them.
I got a G2 that says Verizon buys either Sprint or MetroPCS before the end of the year.
WTF
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If it passes regulatory approval I'm jumping ship, the only option left for affordable plans with unlimited data is Sprint... I wish I'd waited to see the dual core phones so I could upgrade and jump ship at the same time.
Prepare for crappy phone AND customer service.
I mostly use wifi when I'm using my data. This does **** suck. If it's true, I'm jumping to Verizon when my contract's up next year.
Sigh
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Awesome! T-Mobile service BLOWS if you're not near a major city... this is very beneficial for me.
Damn this sucks
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I know it's soon but so many questions! What happens to our 3G/4G bands and phones?!? My grandfathered T-Zones plans from like 7 years ago?! The beloved customer service?!
AT&T will have a GSM monopoly. What a nightmare.
I don't know what to say.
Sent From My G6
who here wants to cry with me... im really hating this right now.. cant believe this actually happing
Nitemare3219 said:
Awesome! T-Mobile service BLOWS if you're not near a major city... this is very beneficial for me.
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Well when you think about it, most people who HAVE tmobile LIVE near a major city. This benefits no one except the people who should've been with at&t ._.
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Typical...
I left Sprint for my business account in February after 9 years and moved on to one of my family T-Mobile accounts dating back to the Voicestream days, SPECIFICALLY because I don't want the AT&T or Verizon headaches.
Being responsible for various company's telecom, data and mobile services, I've dealt with every single one of the carriers over the past 16 years, and can say without hesitation that T-Mobile has the BEST customer service. AT&T is the absolute worst, with the possible exception of Orange or Vodafone-AG.
I had dared to dream that T-Mobile and Sprint would reach an agreement, reach critical mass and survive as a viable alternative to the AT&T-Verizon hegemony.
IMHO, it is unrealistic to expect Congress to review this merger in an unbiased manner. AT&T and T-Mobile have a legion of lobbyists already "explaining" the value & importance of this transaction to our elected officials; as money flows into re-election campaign funds, elaborate "fact finding missions" and junkets to European destinations are planned & payed for; college scholarships are awarded to family members through obscure networks of shell organizations...
Then again, maybe our elected officials will surprise me... we're still going to get that hopey-changey thing someone was selling in 2008, right?
Seriously, F AT&T, they are going to ruin everything that is good about T-mobile.
Say bye-bye to phones like the G2 when AT&T is around, they're notoriously terrible about progressing stock android devices, and have always stopped the side-loading of non-market apps on every Android phone they have.
As long as they don't get rid of non contract Even More+ plans and keep my plan cheap, I don't really care, but I can only imagine prices and everything are going up. Not to mention that we're gonna more than likely lose unlimited data, and lose free tethering.
T-mobile has been fantastic to me and its a great deal, but I just have a bad feeling nothing is getting better with this except coverage. Id rather have poor coverage than everything else that AT&T is going to do to wreck a great carrier.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm not with AT&T for a damn reason - they suck!!! I could go all day listing every reason why they suck but it's too nice outside. This just messed up my whole damn day. Really, will this even pass the check points? I mean they will have a monopoly for the most part on ALL gsm service in the CONUS.
It's almost April... maybe this is just an early joke, a very sick one at that and not even funny.
I hate Motorola's implemintation of Android and since those are the only decent Android phones Verizon carries - Sprint, here I come. I live in their home city anyway.
*RAGE*
10char
ilostchild said:
who here wants to cry with me... im really hating this right now.. cant believe this actually happing
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I'm crying with you! SO, SO, SO very sad right now. I hope it doesn't get approved!
At&t did not buy T-Mobile today. At&t announced its INTENTION to buy T-Mobile. This sort of thing is subject to regulatory approval and could take YEARS to approve, if ever. My guess is that its a move to inflate at&T's stock price because I don't think this aquisition would ever withstand anti-trust examination. Not to mention that everyone from Verizon to Sprint to Cricket will file injunctions to block this deal on exactly those grounds tomorrow. Relax.
LMAO at the thread title
Thanks Mr. Voiceofreason
austontatious said:
At&t did not buy T-Mobile today. At&t announced its INTENTION to buy T-Mobile. This sort of thing is subject to regulatory approval and could take YEARS to approve, if ever. My guess is that its a move to inflate at&T's stock price because I don't think this aquisition would ever withstand anti-trust examination. Not to mention that everyone from Verizon to Sprint to Cricket will file injunctions to block this deal on exactly those grounds tomorrow. Relax.
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Usually the company buying the other company's stock goes down.
ATT has made wise decisions to establish their position. Their betting on the Iphone was a solid winner and now that the cash cow is being milked by others ATT looks to continue growing through this acquisition.
This deal will go through and then Verizon will buy Sprint. Sucks, but it makes sense for these mega companies. It will suck for the consumer.
Your theory does hold merit except you're overlooking one MASSIVE detail. The negotiation terms.
'In the event of the deal failing to receive regulatory approval, AT&T will be on the hook for $3 billion to T-Mobile -- a breakup fee, they call it -- along with transferring over some AWS spectrum it doesn't need for its LTE rollout, and granting T-Mo a roaming agreement at a value agreeable to both parties.'
I don't think AT&T wants to fork over $3 billion and part of it's spectrum for a ploy.
austontatious said:
At&t did not buy T-Mobile today. At&t announced its INTENTION to buy T-Mobile. This sort of thing is subject to regulatory approval and could take YEARS to approve, if ever. My guess is that its a move to inflate at&T's stock price because I don't think this aquisition would ever withstand anti-trust examination. Not to mention that everyone from Verizon to Sprint to Cricket will file injunctions to block this deal on exactly those grounds tomorrow. Relax.
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I think on closer examination, you're a bit off-base.
One of the overlooked elements in this story is that AT&T has agreed to pay TMo/DT US$3 billion along with giving TMo very favorable roaming agreements, if this deal doesn't go thru. Trust me, AT&T fully expects this deal to survive scrutiny. Yeah, they'll have to make some sort of concessions, maybe even sell or give up some spectrum, and maybe agree to keep prices at a certain level for a period of time, for example, but they fully expect to be the owner of a certified preowned cellular 'net with about 34 million subs, in about 12 months.
brook**** said:
Usually the company buying the other company's stock goes down.
ATT has made wise decisions to establish their position. Their betting on the Iphone was a solid winner and now that the cash cow is being milked by others ATT looks to continue growing through this acquisition.
This deal will go through and then Verizon will buy Sprint. Sucks, but it makes sense for these mega companies. It will suck for the consumer.
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I agree completly with bed red picking up sprint, especially if sprint goes lte, if sprint stays wimax then there is a chance for them to maintain their independance, but they need to start making money
The at&t mobil deal will go through, since verizion probably covers the same markets
Remember when big red bought altel, they had to sell the towers in areas, verizion already had towers, and there were no other towers, there was such a small number of markets affected I think like 10 or so
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Do some homework - bell was broken up in 1984 because they were too big. Do you think the SEC is going to just give a do-over? And that $3B is about AT&TS operating budget for a fiscal quarter. If their stock price goes up 1/10th of a percent they will make that back. The purchasing company only loses stock value if they don't meet financial forecasts AFTER the buy. The information that AT&T will double its spectrum is almost guaranteed to raise their stock. Watch the ticker tomorrow. If ATT doesn't skyrocket when the bell rings ill be shocked. And it isn't a permanent thing. This would basically allow AT&T to borrow the money to improve their network from the market - INTEREST FREE. And Verizon will never buy Sprint. The biggest mobile company in America can't buy one of the other biggest companies in America. Never happen.
Regardless, only time will tell. My point is that this isn't a done deal. It will have to survive legal challenges from any number of government and private entities. I don't think it will happen, YMMV. And there is no way it will go through in 12 months. You can't buy a baskin Robbins in 12 months. So just relax.
austontatious said:
Do some homework - bell was broken up in 1984 because they were too big. Do you think the SEC is going to just give a do-over? And that $3B is about AT&TS operating budget for a fiscal quarter. If their stock price goes up 1/10th of a percent they will make that back. The purchasing company only loses stock value if they don't meet financial forecasts AFTER the buy. The information that AT&T will double its spectrum is almost guaranteed to raise their stock. Watch the ticker tomorrow. If ATT doesn't skyrocket when the bell rings ill be shocked. And it isn't a permanent thing. This would basically allow AT&T to borrow the money to improve their network from the market - INTEREST FREE. And Verizon will never buy Sprint. The biggest mobile company in America can't buy one of the other biggest companies in America. Never happen.
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That was 1984. Completely different regulatory environment today.
When's the last time the SEC or DOJ blocked a big telecom merger? Didn't happen when SBC bought then-Ameritech; not when Bell Atlantic/Verizon bought Alltel. Didn't happen when SBC and the old AT&T merged. Didn't happen when Comcast snatched up NBC/U recently, and Comcast is hated coast-to-coast.
And you can bet real $$$ that the regulators aren't going to block this one, today. They'll eke out concessions, and then the only question remaining will be "what color will the new logo for the successor company, be?"
austontatious said:
Do some homework - bell was broken up in 1984 because they were too big. Do you think the SEC is going to just give a do-over? And that $3B is about AT&TS operating budget for a fiscal quarter. If their stock price goes up 1/10th of a percent they will make that back. The purchasing company only loses stock value if they don't meet financial forecasts AFTER the buy. The information that AT&T will double its spectrum is almost guaranteed to raise their stock. Watch the ticker tomorrow. If ATT doesn't skyrocket when the bell rings ill be shocked. And it isn't a permanent thing. This would basically allow AT&T to borrow the money to improve their network from the market - INTEREST FREE. And Verizon will never buy Sprint. The biggest mobile company in America can't buy one of the other biggest companies in America. Never happen.
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Finally an intelligent comment. I'll scream corruption if this deal falls through.
TonyArmstrong said:
That was 1984. Completely different regulatory environment today.
When's the last time the SEC or DOJ blocked a big telecom merger? Didn't happen when SBC bought then-Ameritech; not when Bell Atlantic/Verizon bought Alltel. Didn't happen when SBC and the old AT&T merged. Didn't happen when Comcast snatched up NBC/U recently, and Comcast is hated coast-to-coast.
And you can bet real $$$ that the regulators aren't going to block this one, today. They'll eke out concessions, and then the only question remaining will be "what color will the new logo for the successor company, be?"
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VZW was forced to give AT&T some of Alltel subscribers. I believe that was the FTC's doing.
Correct me if I am wrong but in 84 ma bell owned most if not all phone lines, thus had total control over every phone. Vzw owns towers, and att owns towers, sprint owns towers, att would not be able to own all towers, and have complete control over wireless signal.
The funny thing is all the fiber back bone to the towers is probably owned by at&t
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gqstatus0685 said:
VZW was forced to give AT&T some of Alltel subscribers. I believe that was the FTC's doing.
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But the deal still went through. That's my point. The FTC, Justice, SEC all might have some requirements -- and yes the combined company might have to shed some subscribers. But not anywhere near what makes a real difference.
At the end of the day, right now, I put the chances of this deal not going to closing at way less than 1 in 10.
I think it will go through because AT&T has deep pockets. If it doesn't fall through they'll have to cough up money among other things. They are fairly confident that it'll go through. I work for AT&T by the way and have read many communications about this today.
If this merger can't go through, then all the Ticketmaster monopoly acquisitions shouldn't have either. That didn't stop anyone from declaring it illegal. As long as the buyers have deep pockets (which AT&T does) and "buy" out the people who decide these things, anything could happen. Companies can get away with anything as long as they butter up the right people.
*coughs* called it.
zomg! did some one say the sky is falling?
Just read the U.S is trying to block AT&T from purchasing T-Mo...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44341803/ns/business-us_business/
lets hope for the best!!!
For the best... Well let's hope that they can't buy T-Mo... and then let's hope for a judged ordered break down of AT&T.... now that would be awesome! Worst case scenarios... AT&T wins and merges T-Mo... and well look at that everyone PRICES go up to par
Yep we'll see. This doesn't mean the merger is completely stopped, but its a big step in the right direction!
Problem is, DT still doesn't want T-Mobile USA, what will they do?
Hey Google...got a little extra cash?
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I kinda feel sorry for all those people who jumped ship at the first announcment and are now stuck with verizon...
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Nospin said:
Problem is, DT still doesn't want T-Mobile USA, what will they do?
Hey Google...got a little extra cash?
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Haha good luck. If Google tried to buy T-mo there's no way that would ever go through. We can hope though right?
wesmagyar said:
I kinda feel sorry for all those people who jumped ship at the first announcment and are now stuck with verizon...
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Well that's their problem. They're pretty stupid to have jumped to Verizon. Especially considering that at that point if the merger did go through, they were looking at at least 18 months before they saw anything real happen to T-Mobile as we know them now.
thank god. I got At&T for 24 hours to get the new iPhone after being with T-Mobile for 8 years or so and thought their service sucked at least in Tampa. T-Mo was much faster and hella cheaper. The iPhone sucks, it's is all hype. Android all the way!
Personally, I would like to see one of the providers that use T-Mobile network buy T-Mobile. Tsimple Mobile? Walmart?
Or maybe US Cellular or other regional player can get bigger?
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using Tapatalk
I can understand the sentiments between the services of T-mo and AT&T, but I'm simply looking at this from a bigger picture.
If passed, this means the USA is going more in the direction most people never wanted it to go. Government intervention between our personal, and business lives when, sometimes, there isn't anything to intervene about -- AT&T and T-mobile are big boys, they might not make the best decisions that all their customers approve of, but for the most part they should be able to settle it themselves amicably.
Next thing you know, this situation paves the road for the government managing industries like a nagging granny.
All in all, this looks good in the immediate focus, but not in the prospective future. Who wants things being held at a stop point?
kaijura said:
I can understand the sentiments between the services of T-mo and AT&T, but I'm simply looking at this from a bigger picture.
If passed, this means the USA is going more in the direction most people never wanted it to go. Government intervention between our personal, and business lives when, sometimes, there isn't anything to intervene about -- AT&T and T-mobile are big boys, they might not make the best decisions that all their customers approve of, but for the most part they should be able to settle it themselves amicably.
Next thing you know, this situation paves the road for the government managing industries like a nagging granny.
All in all, this looks good in the immediate focus, but not in the prospective future. Who wants things being held at a stop point?
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Click to collapse
I think most people agree that monopolies are generally not a good thing, no matter which end of the political spectrum you're on.
I was originally all for the merger, but after the "changes" and "streamlining" that AT&T has done so far, I think the government is doing the right thing.
As soon as the merger was approved, AT&T goes ahead and "streamlines" their text plan by giving the customers even LESS options. so now you have to either pay 20c per text and 30c per mms OR pay 20 bucks for unlimited.... They claim that the merger would provide better service for the customers and country but they're showing that the merger would make the customers pay more.
I dont know how true this is, but it technically costs AT&T 1 penny to send 5,000 text messages yet, they charge us 20 cent for 1 text message. So after actions like this, I now am completely opposed to the merger and I hope that it will not go through, so I can switch over to Tmobile when my DZ dies.
martonikaj said:
I think most people agree that monopolies are generally not a good thing, no matter which end of the political spectrum you're on.
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if it passes, att would have as much of a monopoly over the US cellular market as android has over the smartphone market right now. It's a decent half, but nowhere near close to the legit term.
I just don't feel it is a good thing for government to intervene, that's my gripe over the issue. It denounces the true meaning for consumer/business capitalism we once hoped to live in.
On a side note, I'm not exactly excited about AT&T fees either. It's a mixed feeling, but I don't let my personal anecdotes get into politics.
kaijura said:
if it passes, att would have as much of a monopoly over the US cellular market as android has over the smartphone market right now. It's a decent half, but nowhere near close to the legit term.
I just don't feel it is a good thing for government to intervene, that's my gripe over the issue. It denounces the true meaning for consumer/business capitalism we once hoped to live in.
On a side note, I'm not exactly excited about AT&T fees either. It's a mixed feeling, but I don't let my personal anecdotes get into politics.
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It would be a GSM monopoly, and effectively a cell carrier duopoly between AT&T and Verizon. Sprint wouldn't stand a chance if AT&T consumed T-mobile, and they'd either be bought out or disappear as well. Its just not a good thing for consumers in any way. I'm very anti-government intervention, but I really think they did the right thing here.
kaijura said:
if it passes, att would have as much of a monopoly over the US cellular market as android has over the smartphone market right now. It's a decent half, but nowhere near close to the legit term.
I just don't feel it is a good thing for government to intervene, that's my gripe over the issue. It denounces the true meaning for consumer/business capitalism we once hoped to live in.
On a side note, I'm not exactly excited about AT&T fees either. It's a mixed feeling, but I don't let my personal anecdotes get into politics.
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If it passed than you are looking at a wide variety of possibilities. The death of Sprint and other small carriers, loss of thousands of jobs...
I hate government intervention as well (i'm not a Pastafarian for nothing), but things like this do need to be investigated. Big corporations almost never care about what's in the best interest of the consumer, and mergers that radically change the landscape like this need to be examined.
AT&T didn't try to do this for the greater good, they did it to line their pockets and have more customers to screw over. They would have had too much influence in the wireless market.
Sent from my T-mobile G2 using Tapatalk
on NPR, they said AT&T promised that it would move 5000 call center jobs back to the US, and NO T-Mobile call center people would loose their jobs. I'm not a fan of AT&T and would prolly switch to Sprint once the merger happens. BUT, wouldn't AT&T have to honor all the current contracts at those rates and services and grandfather them for renewal? So if your T-Mo now, you would be able to stay at your current plan indefinitely? It would just effect new customers..no? Plus i've an upgrade available and have been eyeballing the Ruby So would rather not have to switch carriers.
blanthony said:
thank god. I got At&T for 24 hours to get the new iPhone after being with T-Mobile for 8 years or so and thought their service sucked at least in Tampa. T-Mo was much faster and hella cheaper. The iPhone sucks, it's is all hype. Android all the way!
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Lol I live I'm Tampa but my service is great
Sent from my T959 using xda premium
tep065 said:
BUT, wouldn't AT&T have to honor all the current contracts at those rates and services and grandfather them for renewal? So if your T-Mo now, you would be able to stay at your current plan indefinitely? It would just effect new customers..no?
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technically yes.
but here's how they usually change it on you. You are welcome to continue with your plan, but if you ever upgrade with AT&T into a 2 year contract for a new phone, you MUST go by their plan, in which case considering that AT&T will probably not change their infrastructure anyways, you would NEED a new phone because tmo uses a completley different set of spectrums and methods than AT&T (1 spectrum for uploads, 1 for downloads as opposed to AT&T's 1 spectrum for up and down).
Your current tmobile phone will not get 3g at all.
so essentially you'll be forced to their new plan and you have no say with what you can pretty much get since you know you have to get their $25, 2gb data plan + voice + $20 unlimited text message for sure. the only choice in this matter is whether you're going to downgrade to 200mb (i think not) and which voice plan will you be using.
so yes, they will honor the old contract, but only if you keep your old phone or buy phones at full price from at&t or somewhere else that works with at&t's bands.
tep065 said:
on NPR, they said AT&T promised that it would move 5000 call center jobs back to the US, and NO T-Mobile call center people would loose their jobs. I'm not a fan of AT&T and would prolly switch to Sprint once the merger happens. BUT, wouldn't AT&T have to honor all the current contracts at those rates and services and grandfather them for renewal? So if your T-Mo now, you would be able to stay at your current plan indefinitely? It would just effect new customers..no? Plus i've an upgrade available and have been eyeballing the Ruby So would rather not have to switch carriers.
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Click to collapse
I'm sure they would honor it, but having technologies that don't work together would require a lot of people to "upgrade" and sign a new contract with different rates.
As for the jobs, yes they may have the call center jobs, but what about techs, or duplication of retail stores within a certain area. How many of those would be shut down and people lose their jobs? If they really cared about bringing the jobs home and not just cash, they would've done it already.
To me it just looks like AT&T trying to prevent themselves from sinking in the long run. T-Mobile brought out 4G first, Verizon got the iPhone. Other than having the iPhone first, I don't really see much coming out of them. If this doesn't go through, it wouldn't surprise me to see Spring getting a much larger market share in the next 3-7 years.
On a side note, saw this on bloomberg this morning:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-...h-new-t-mobile-buyer-real-m-a.html?cmpid=yhoo
T-mobile to lose $12billion if merger is or isn't done, already lost 600,000+ subscribers and income down 55% since 2011.. holy hell!
kaijura said:
On a side note, saw this on bloomberg this morning:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-...h-new-t-mobile-buyer-real-m-a.html?cmpid=yhoo
T-mobile to lose $12billion if merger is or isn't done, already lost 600,000+ subscribers and income down 55% since 2011.. holy hell!
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I think it was pretty well known that T-mobile (and Sprint) is in a really tough spot right now. Neither company has been making money or increasing subscribers in a long long time.
After waiting for the one x for months, I am disgusted with what they delivered. Tons of issues out of the box, no unlocked bootloader, no sd card, and miserable multitasking. Sprint is getting the s4 lte one x with bootloader unlock, and ad card. Verizon is getting it also with possibly a s5 cpu.
Any recommendations on sprint vs Verizon as far as service quality and price for the ny metro/long island area?
I can't stomach giving Att more money after the CEO received a 22 million dollar bonus for a FAILED merger with tmobile that cost Att 4 billion dollars + in penalties. The customers get to foot the bill for his incompetence, and he gets rewarded 22 million for costing us 4billion+? Ponderous. Enough is enough already with this garbage. And on top of it all, we get a failure of a phone, while sprint and Verizon will again get the better equipment! Screw Att, I am done with those thieves.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA
c5satellite2 said:
After waiting for the one x for months, I am disgusted with what they delivered. Tons of issues out of the box, no unlocked bootloader, no sd card, and miserable multitasking. Sprint is getting the s4 lte one x with bootloader unlock, and ad card. Verizon is getting it also with possibly a s5 cpu.
Any recommendations on sprint vs Verizon as far as service quality and price for the ny metro/long island area?
I can't stomach giving Att more money after the CEO received a 22 million dollar bonus for a FAILED merger with tmobile that cost Att 4 billion dollars + in penalties. The customers get to foot the bill for his incompetence, and he gets rewarded 22 million for costing us 4billion+? Ponderous. Enough is enough already with this garbage. And on top of it all, we get a failure of a phone, while sprint and Verizon will again get the better equipment! Screw Att, I am done with those thieves.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA
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You can go to sprints website and view a map of their coverage. Same for verizon. However it should go without saying that the coverage should be next to perfect since not only are you in a very busy but city but also a well known area. I live in Atlanta, GA and Sprint 4G is golden over here. There are small pocket areas where coverage drops. And some where it drops for sprint too. As for local deals and plans you will have to check that in your area. It varies. I did break my contract with ATT though and switched to sprint. I had a hefty ETF to pay but it was worth it. Unlimited data, text, and tethering is worth it. I also like Sprint's tight google voice integration. I was using it on ATT and it was really limited but it's much more integrated on sprint.
So for me it was worth it. Love my Epic Touch 4G. To give ATT a little bit of credit they do seem to be snatching up some in demand android phones. I had no idea that ATT's version of the HTCOneX was that different either. This whole "lets change the internals of the phone for every carrier" is really annoying. The Epic Touch 4G looks different from the galaxy s2 skyrocket. And I think the global version is different too. The only downside about sprint's epic touch 4G is no NFC
But GS3 is coming soon. Hope this helped.
c5satellite2 said:
I can't stomach giving Att more money after the CEO received a 22 million dollar bonus for a FAILED merger with tmobile that cost Att 4 billion dollars + in penalties.
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This type of thing happens at all telecom companies. Enjoy having no LTE over at Sprint.
c5satellite2 said:
And on top of it all, we get a failure of a phone, while sprint and Verizon will again get the better equipment!
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Click to collapse
It happens all the time. In a year at&t will get the sweet device and Sprint users will be sad. I haven't noticed any major trends in who gets what equipment amongst the major carriers... and Sprint. Well besides the iphone. Would I change if I really wanted a device at another company? Maybe. I have an unlimited data contract and a corporate discount though so I can't really see anyone giving me a better deal.
sitizenx said:
This type of thing happens at all telecom companies. Enjoy having no LTE over at Sprint.
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AT&T LTE is kinda laughable though. I wish they left HSPA+ alone in the One X and gave me a quad-core instead.
Verizon in coverage and LTE. Sprint with prices and unlimited data.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
KayxGee1 said:
Verizon in coverage and LTE. Sprint with prices and unlimited data.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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This.
Sent from my ADR6400L
T-Mobile is where it's at! I have their value plan and pay $70 a month after taxes for unlimited everything and 2 GB of 4G. Can't beat that.
Not sure where you're getting your info, OP, but Verizon's CEO just put out a press release stating that VZ will not be getting any new HTC phones in the short term, namely the HTC One series.
It depends on what your needs are. Do you use your data alot? Do you need the fast LTE speeds? Do you need a lot of minutes? Obviously phone choice is a huge deciding factor. All those questions could help us help you.
I have unlimited(limited) data and need 5gb+, need 900 minutes, would love lte(not a dealbreaker), 500+ text messages, free mobile to mobile calling, and be less than what I'm paying now, about $97.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA
And Verizon is going to get a "one x" phone, it just won't be marketed as that. Look for a HTC phone similar in specs to LTE one x, but with a newer version CPU called S4 PRO(with new 320 gpu). Removable battery, sd card slot, 4.7" or bigger display.
Not confirmed of course, just adds up from various info and comments that have been made by qcomm, Verizon, and HTC. The biggest being they are due to release the replacement for the rezound in Q3. Everyone is bringing the 4.7"+slcd2 screen with qcomm s4 lte to market because it is a great combo, I don't think Big Red will miss out on the fun.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA
c5satellite2 said:
I can't stomach giving Att more money after the CEO received a 22 million dollar bonus for a FAILED merger with tmobile that cost Att 4 billion dollars + in penalties. The customers get to foot the bill for his incompetence, and he gets rewarded 22 million for costing us 4billion+? Ponderous. Enough is enough already with this garbage. And on top of it all, we get a failure of a phone, while sprint and Verizon will again get the better equipment! Screw Att, I am done with those thieves.
Any feedback is appreciated.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, you can thank your new BFF "Sprint" for having a hand in that.
Asides from having really huge balls, I can't see how a failed merger undermines his abilities as a CEO? How do you think mergers work?
And unless you sir, own a significant amount of shares in AT&T, I don't understand how any of that $4 billion is even remotely 'yours'. Everything the company charges you are in exchange for their services, not stocks.
Lastly, could you provide me with an example where it shows the penalty fee being relayed onto the customer?
Thanks!
if you just want a lower monthly bill, I would try calling customer service, follow the prompts until you hear the one for cancel you account press 5, etc., it will direct you to the correct person, then say you're thinking about canceling because its too expensive, they will probably offer you some disscounts. last time I did it, they gave me $20 off credit for 6 months, free messaging 6 months, and a one time $40 credit I think.
worth a shot.
Ive been with them 6 years, I like GSM for the fact I can buy and use international devices, I dont like how they put non LTE unlmited plans on 3GB.
Every 1 of the big 4 has its pros and cons.
Agree about the gsm benefits.
And where dou think the 4 billion is coming from? Us. And we will pay twice, the 4bil+ in fines, and another 4bil+ to build the network he failed to acquire. I have a big problem with the "liar" receiving 22mil for failing. A better reward would have been a pink slip like everyone else would have received. Look up Randall Stephensons comments, he flat out lies, and had no clue how anything actually works. Just another entitled wall street moron ruining a great company in order to line their pockets via wall street. This is exactly why America is failing. Provide the lowest quality as long as it means higher stock prices. And even well performing stocks don't keep up with inflation, resulting in stealing from customers, as well as the shareholders. Do the research and WAKE UP ALREADY. STOP ALLOWING YOURSELF TO BE CONNED BY WALL STREET AND THE ENTITLED ULTRA RICH!
Any one here get a 22million bonus after costing your company 4+bil? No, you would have been fired!
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA
c5satellite2 said:
Agree about the gsm benefits.
And where dou think the 4 billion is coming from? Us. And we will pay twice, the 4bil+ in fines, and another 4bil+ to build the network he failed to acquire. I have a big problem with the "liar" receiving 22mil for failing. A better reward would have been a pink slip like everyone else would have received. Look up Randall Stephensons comments, he flat out lies, and had no clue how anything actually works. Just another entitled wall street moron ruining a great company in order to line their pockets via wall street. This is exactly why America is failing. Provide the lowest quality as long as it means higher stock prices. And even well performing stocks don't keep up with inflation, resulting in stealing from customers, as well as the shareholders. Do the research and WAKE UP ALREADY. STOP ALLOWING YOURSELF TO BE CONNED BY WALL STREET AND THE ENTITLED ULTRA RICH!
Any one here get a 22million bonus after costing your company 4+bil? No, you would have been fired!
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA
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Click to collapse
Oh god, are you one of those antiwallstreet idiots 99 percenters camping?
I won't even bother arguing the logistics with you and pointing out your failed logic on the nature of economics. Have a good day.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Guesss you are a Wall Street(rigged casino) idiot. I can't stand occupy, it is a scam funded by certain political groups to pass more regulations.
The market doesn't keep up with inflation. Good luck giving your money to the rich. Effing economists.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA
Contrary to popular beliefs,
Economists are more likely to be liberals.
But your statements are hollow and illogical. Even a bleeding heart would disagree with what you're stating.
By your logic, you're stating company revenue=customer investment.
You paid for a service, NOT for investment shares. Your service charges do not accrue to company shares. Once that money is paid and becomes company profit/revenue they can do whatever the hell they wanna do with it and no legal obligation binds them to spend it in your best interest. The loss is the company's loss, not your loss.
I don't understand how market parity and inflation has anything to do with this.
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God I hate liberals and their phony agenda. They claim to be liberal, want a million rules and regs, and tell you what to do. The only thing they are libral with is other peoples money. Anyone need more social assistance programs?
Don't like either Republicans or Democrats, they are all liars.
How about following the constitution and logic? Political parties only divide us as Americans and prevent anything from getting done.
Rep and Dem both laugh at us together all the way to the bank. Any more ultra rich need a billion dollar "bailout"?
We pay for all this crap. Period. We the people, not we the minority ultra rich!
Defend these morons all you want. Try looking past the curtain, there is more to it than what they let you see. You are being fleeced every day. Stand up for yourself, stop accepting what they "give" you. Earn what is yours, and don't let them steal it. I work 3 jobs. I work hard. I don't ask for handouts. Corporate America takes what they want, from who they want, and when they want. They run companies into the ground only to receive bonuses and bailouts. Enough is enough. I stand up for myself. You will not stand in my way.
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This has to be the funniest thread I've read in a while, and I've been a lurker on this site since 2009, but ultimately you're going to be footing the bill for your foot out the door. Either way, by your logic, you're going to be losing money. Unless you can convince a friendly CS Rep to cancel your contract without the ETF. Here's a hint: I wouldn't rattle on about the reasons you're leaving and instead make up a blatent lie. Also, put on your super nice voice.... if you have one.
Sprint, NO
its horrible. So-Called 4g