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Will T-Mobile USA Disappear in 2011?

http://www.loweringthebarforus.org/news/entry/will_t-mobile_usa_disappear_in_2011
looks like tmobile is closing down? what do you think?

The last sentence in the article sums it up nicely "The brand name may disappear but the company operations and stakeholders will remain."
TMo just replaced their US CEO with new blood (lets let some of the Euro hardware in, m'kay?) like literally just a few weeks ago, and they're suggesting they're pretty aggressive with continuing the rollout of HSPA+ nationwide. The Voice Stream er Tmobile name may go away, but the entity it self isn't going anywhere.
...And although Sprint and Tmobile's target demographic does suggest a lot of overlap, in my belief, in the event of an end of days scenario for Tmo the most likely acquirer of tmo would be.... ATT! Tmo is shaped nicely to fit into the hole in ATT's portfolio. ATT is phasing out of iDevice exclusivity quite soon and would welcome the inflows of Android devices and their higher than normal profit margins. And for the shareholders, such an acquisition would give ATT significantly more Mobile exposure and offset some of the massive cash hemmoraging from their ailing Landline business. And finally, a huge majority of Tmo's Phones in the US were originally equipped with ATT compatible radios in their source countries where ATT already has a presence, then converted for the US - the whole thing just lines up quite well!

If ATT does pick up TMo,im deffinately leaving. Not sure who ill switch to tho,everyone else is more expensive and ATT doesnt have "unlimited data" anymore. Sprint's customer service sucks,and Verizon will charge you as much as they want cause they can.

Tabasco1TX said:
If ATT does pick up TMo,im deffinately leaving...
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+1 me too! I truly hope TMOUS stays…I like my service and the customer support is better than any other phone service I have had.

I wouldn't worry to much about it. They claim their lack of 4G is whats gonna hold them back. But whats funny is untill last year every network but sprint said 4G was a joke and would never work. After seeing the first 4G phone appear on the market I'm inclined to think 4G is gonna be a failure for mobile. No one wants a phone with 2 hours of battery life in trade for double the speed. Besides didn't Tmo already say they plan to roll out 4G in 2012, and everyone else jumped on the bandwagon saying 2011. If I were tmo I would skip it and hold out. They already use 3.75G Also the OPs post looks like a propoganda blog, heres the latest real news site report on TMO
http://connectedplanetonline.com/3g4g/news/tmobile-expanding-4g-061610/
They are claiming their 3G with HSPA or whatever is actually faster then sprint 4G. LOL Having tried all the 3G networks around here I wouldn't disagree with this statement. All my coworkers have to hook up to my phone via wifi to get any HD video on their phones. For some reason Verizon, ATT, and Sprint don't support it through their data plans, yet all 4 can connect to my Tmo 3G and watch HD youtube all night. We all though this would of made a great Tmo, Verizon, ATT map commercial.

Sounds like a lot of baseless speculation, just like a Sprint/Nextel merger. Teaming up with Virgin Mobile? Really
T-Mobile won't be acquired by AT&T, don't worry about it. If AT&T could kill some competition and become #1 they would've purchased T-Mobile
T-Mobile is still making millions, unlike Sprint.

Actaully sprints not in too bad of shape. They have many loans out but all are paid up and they have live 200 million in the bank for a rainy day. They took out billions to roll out 4G and now they basically own it and are years ahead of everyone else in 4G. I've actaully noticed many more sprint phones the past 6 months too. That Dan guy must be doing something right. LOL
BTW I'm getting
2.74 down
0.74 up
211 ping
Boy they aren't kidding, the HSPA doubled your 3G speed. Hopefully we will get it in a couple months.
Sprint 4G is usually pulling 4-5 down ? up.

That's weird, they opened a store near me recently.

Pure rumors...Good old Tmobile is not going anywhere!

ATT and TMo merger = better service??

Since ATT and TMo are merging, I got to thinking, this SHOULD result in better service (and by service I mean signal strength, 3g availability, etc), shouldn't it?
But, I'm left to wonder. When I had cingular, I loved them, and I loved their service. Didn't ever really have deadspots. Once ATT bought them though, my house became a near dead zone >.<
I would love to think that ATT would use the existing TMo equipment to strengthen their network, but I'm not so sure...
What do you guys think??
Regards
Smith

I think that any time that you reduce competition, especially when the US Government spent a decade and billions of dollars to split this exact corporation up, the customer will always lose.
I honestly don't think that AT$T will do jack **** to give their users a better experience. I think that their "4G" initiative is a perfect example of this - "Hey, I have a great idea. Get this - we'll take our existing 3G network and - now this is brilliant - we'll call it....."4G". Boom. Done. We don't have to spend anything on upgrading our infrastructure." (http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/how-at-t-and-t-mobile-conjured-4g-networks-out-of-thin-air/43577)
Now I realize that I'm not being entirely fair to AT$T on this, but they are really not using any new technology in this supposed 4G network. It's all been around for 2+ years. To me, this equates to seriously and fundamentally misleading customers - which they have become seasoned veterans at.
Additionally, their network is severely overloaded. They don't have the trunk bandwidth to properly service all of their towers, even in rural areas. When they acquire T-Mo, they will get a lot of customers to add to this already overloaded system. It is unclear to me how much work they would be willing to put in to this new joint infrastructure. I'd wager that T-Mo will will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary for a fair amount of time if this acquisition gets approved (and I hope it does not).
In short, I think that this will absolutely not improve AT$T's network; I think it will do the opposite at least in the short to mid term. I think AT$T will continue their deceptive and manipulative business practices (forcing grandmothers on data plans because their phone has a screen big enough for them to see the phone numbers, etc) for a very long time. Reducing competition in this arena is a very dangerous game and it will only lead to the government having to spend a ton of our money to split up an evil monopoly. Again.
Just my $.02 though.

Completely agree with the above comment. I believe that the worst post of this is going to be the lack of competition that will result.as most companies already have a relationship of sharing cell towers service improvements will be limited if any at all
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I agree too... that was the experience when they bought cingular.
I love my cappy, but I may re-sign w/ sprint or verizon when my contract is up... ATT kinda, well, sucks d lol

I dont use my cell data really at all, there is only Edge out by where I am and I am just fine with it. Always around a wifi connection and 95% of my data goes over wifi. Over cell i maybe do 100megs a month. Never had a dropped call that was not because i was in the middle of nowhere or my fault in 6+ years.
It is exciting to see what the network will be like once T-mobile towers get changed over. just think of the 4G coverage area.
While i do agree that less competition is a bad thing, the network i already pay for and am getting just fine coverage for my uses is about to get much bigger and much faster. That I am all for.

smithisize said:
Since ATT and TMo are merging, I got to thinking, this SHOULD result in better service (and by service I mean signal strength, 3g availability, etc), shouldn't it?
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For T-Mo users, yes. For AT&T users, not much.
But, I'm left to wonder. When I had cingular, I loved them, and I loved their service. Didn't ever really have deadspots. Once ATT bought them though, my house became a near dead zone >.<
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Why ppl keep thinking AT&T bought Cingular?
It is other way around. Cingular bought AT&T and decided to drop Cingular name and use AT&T name instead.
I was with AT&T wireless before Cingular bought it. I have better custom service and can buy new phones as many times per year as I want on Premier account. Ever since Cingular bought AT&T, it's all going down hill. Not only I have to wait 2 years to qualify for discounted phone but also the price on Premier is usually $50 higher than non-Premier.

Same here.. Kinda ready to try new waters. Just bought the Thunderbolt. Want to try it out and see how it is..

BeowulfShaeffer said:
So, in short, "Cingular" didn't buy AT&T, nor did AT&T buy Cingular. SBC owned Cingular, bought AT&T, merged the relevant operations, and renamed their business. What is now called AT&T is really the former Southwestern Bell "baby bell", all grown up and having "eaten" its parent.
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Nope. The history is too long for most to remember. Cingular (often referred to as Orange) first purchased AT&T wireless division (often referred to as Blue) and AT&T wireless name in 2004. SBC purchased rest of the AT&T in 2005. Google it. SBC is an evil corporation that everybody hates. Changing the name to AT&T is one way to try improve its image. It worked as most today has no clue who is AT&T really.

What a dramatic history
Anyway, I agreefatbas202. AT&T really should invest to improve its network. Both coverage and data speed. Also stop blocking updates.

Backbone and Cell towers will now be shared, so better service for users, but the spectrum used will be intersting sonce not all phones are quad band for all their capabilites.
TMO users wil get the biggest boost.
Now about the user a few posts earlier complaining about ATT 4G.
TMO did it first and has a slower network. ATT was the last of the major carriers to call the small upgrade to their current tech 4G.
ATT users will get a possible boost since they can use more towers in their areas and this also depends on phone capabilities.
Everyone wins in this merger even when you look at price points and devices and plans. The monopoly point of view is ok, but with two other major carriers and multiple minor ones that argument is a smoke screen.
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it will be about a year before the deal is even approved by the government. so it will be almost 2 years before anyone sees changes.
so calm down for now...

smithisize said:
Since ATT and TMo are merging, I got to thinking, this SHOULD result in better service (and by service I mean signal strength, 3g availability, etc), shouldn't it?
But, I'm left to wonder. When I had cingular, I loved them, and I loved their service. Didn't ever really have deadspots. Once ATT bought them though, my house became a near dead zone >.<
I would love to think that ATT would use the existing TMo equipment to strengthen their network, but I'm not so sure...
What do you guys think??
Regards
Smith
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Click to collapse
Interestingly enough, AT&T held a majority of stakes in Cingular and Bell South (SBC) held the minority. Once AT&T and Bell South merged into a new company they dropped the Cingular brand and started marketing their wireless service under the "AT&T Wireless" brand name.
So when you loved Cingular, you were really loving AT&T/Bell South.
As for what is going to happen with the TMo network when AT&T sucks them up... who knows. However, if the deal does go through, I don't think they will dismantle the TMo 4G network, since AT&T needs it.

AT&T gets accelerated 4G, and T-Mobile gets expanded coverage.
Theoretically.
Sent from my Captivate

Without competition AT&T is going to have even more ridiculous policies. That's what I'm most worried about.
T-Mobile was putting a brake on accelerating prices and also gave consumers more options like contract free pricing. I'm sure as heck that AT&T doesn't care about continuing that....
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Pros: Wider coverage, better reception
Cons: monopoly, less choice for consumers and more control to AT&T (damn)
+1 AT&T could adopt a ridiculous pricing.
______________________
Samsung Captivate
ROM: designgear's Cognition v4.2.2
Kernel: eXistZ's KB1 #7

Wow, I've learned a lot in this thread haha never knew all of the history between cingulair and att!
Also, I thought ATT users would benefit most... all my friends with TMO have much better signal strength everywhere, higher speeds too lol so I'm surprised (though ATT's network is much larger and so it makes sense) that you are predicting the opposite.
But yeah, hopefully this will result in price drops... But w/o competition, it may result in price jacking >.<
TBH: Sprint and Verizon look better every day... particularly verizon, I don't like most of sprints phones. Idk though lol I've been with ATT so long I'm afraid to change! xD

Let us hope so. AT&T is pretty sketchy where I live. Plus, I have a few friends on TMO so it would be nice to get unlimited calling to them through unlimited mobile to mobile

What do you guys think of the AT&T/Tmobile Merger?

Do you guys think AT&T and Tmobile Merger will get approved by the Senate?

F***!!!!!! ATT

I will be moving to Sprint if this does go through... I left ATT for a reason...

I will be gone the day my grandfathered plan expires. I refuse to pay $100 more a month for less services. Why would any sane person do that?
I guess it will be back to sprint....

If it goes through im going back to sprint or boost, I refuse to pay att for any media services

Didn't ATT announce that existing T-Mobile customers will be able to keep their existing plans for as long as they want and still benefit from ATT's network and phone selection?
Pretty sure I read that this is a big point they will be making in front of the Senate.

Unless you want to upgrade your phone ever.
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Yeah what he said... if the merger means there will still be 2 companies, I'm down. But when has that ever happened. I been with tmo before they were tmo
... remember voicestream ? Once att gobles up tmo say buh by to decent customer service and decent rates... if I can't keep my plan indefinitely ... ill be heading to Verizon. **** sprint.
"If Satan lived in heaven he'd be me.... "

Senate has nothing to say - FTC and Justice department. And even if they disapprove, Courts could can overturn ruling - they have done so with other anti-competitive mergers.

Hate ATT customer service!!! Do not want the merger to take place any time soon or ever! 100% against it!!!!

I will leave if it gets approved.

I liked AT&T. I left AT&T because even with full bars at my house, you can't make a call. Even if you can, the call would be dropped before you can finish it.
My GF has AT&T and her phone does the same thing. My neighbors have AT&T and they do they same thing. Even friends on AT&T that visit my house say the same thing.
The sad part is that it isn't just at my house, it's everywhere. Tmobile may not have great service everywhere, but it works where it should and I hardly get disconnected.
I don't mind AT&T because I travel across the US and I found that AT&T pretty much covers me better then Tmobile and they have pretty decent 3G coverage even between cities where Tmobile is GPRS only (not even EDGE).
My feelings toward the merger can go 2 ways:
First, I would not mind AT&T so much IF/WHEN they merge, they allow AT&T customers to use the great Tmobile signal found at my house... or keep the companies separate but allow access to all the GSM signals. Basically the best of both worlds. Like having access to both Tmobile and AT&T networks.
Second, they bring over the Even More Plus plans where you can have your own device and have a lower monthly bill, which makes sense. A part of the monthly bill pays for the big discounts you get off the phones you buy them on contract. If you don't buy their equipment, why would anyone be forced to pay for a discount they never got? I really like the EMP plans and I think they are awesome.
Lastly, they don't rape my bill. $30 a month for internet is INSANE!!!! Plus don't advertise $79 a month plans* (*requires a $30 data plan). WTF is that? It a plan REQUIRES something, then it should all be included in the price. The math should be $109 a month, which is too damn expensive.
I'm actually really happy with $59 1000 minutes unlimited everything else (less a 5gb cap).
That is reasonable and a good deal.

Will switch to VZW if merger happened.

mightywonton said:
Do you guys think AT&T and Tmobile Merger will get approved by the Senate?
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The Senate doesn't approve or disapprove the sale. The FCC and the DOJ have the power in this. One of the closing off the cuff comments from one of the Senators was that he figured the sale would be approved with stipulations as has been speculated all along. We are not many years from a two carrier system...Sprint will never survive against the two behemoths.

I just read a cent article saying its gonna take up to 12 months to evaluate the deal and most of the senate is against it so I doubt it will be approved. If it gets approved that means that there will only be one GSM carrier in the US and consumers will not have a choice but to go with ATT if they want GSM so I dont see how the FCC will approve that.

maciek82 said:
Didn't ATT announce that existing T-Mobile customers will be able to keep their existing plans for as long as they want and still benefit from ATT's network and phone selection?
Pretty sure I read that this is a big point they will be making in front of the Senate.
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They are playing nice right now because they are trying to get the deal approved. Do you think that the deal would get approved if ATT was out right saying they were going raise the rates on 50 million ppl? Probably not.
In turn if you own a company and you had 50 million ppl you could raise the rates up 20+ dollars why wouldn't you? Its all about the $$$$$$$$

johnnyp500 said:
I just read a cent article saying its gonna take up to 12 months to evaluate the deal and most of the senate is against it so I doubt it will be approved. If it gets approved that means that there will only be one GSM carrier in the US and consumers will not have a choice but to go with ATT if they want GSM so I dont see how the FCC will approve that.
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Again, the Senate doesn't matter in the big scheme of things. And the same folks that will decide this sale approved the XM-Sirius merger which resulted in ONE satelite radio provider.
The vast majority of folks could care less if they have GSM or CDMA or TDMA or ABCD or whatever...they want good signal with cheap prices.

I hate to see it and say it, and it will probably take a while, but its going to get approved. AT&T will probably have to make some concessions, but in the end it will go through.

bluemoon737 said:
Again, the Senate doesn't matter in the big scheme of things. And the same folks that will decide this sale approved the XM-Sirius merger which resulted in ONE satelite radio provider.
The vast majority of folks could care less if they have GSM or CDMA or TDMA or ABCD or whatever...they want good signal with cheap prices.
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cent = cnet
Im sorry but I disagree with you. Those who travel internationally and use different sim cards in different countries want a global phone and want to choose a gsm network. There are many people like that and it is only fair that they have a choice between at least 2 carriers

jcbofkc said:
I will be gone the day my grandfathered plan expires. I refuse to pay $100 more a month for less services. Why would any sane person do that?
I guess it will be back to sprint....
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+1
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[Q] Help choosing phone and provider, please?

I have a MyTouch 4G on T-Mobile. In a year or less the AT&T buyout of T-Mobile may happen and.... I have to decide what's next for me.
1. I'm happy with the MyTouch and my T-Mo plan but I have no contract and therefore no protection at all against whatever changes may result from the buyout.
2. Physical or on-screen keyboard is fine, no preference.
3. I need VERY little voice time, less than 100 minutes a month for the last 10 years so the 200 minute senior plans from AT&T or VZW are fine for me.
4. I need LOTS of data so price is a consideration.
5. I MUST have UMA or WiFi calling to cover all the places I need my phone but I think that's impossible, I doubt AT&T will add that and I know VZW won't.
6. The choice is between VZW and AT&T, don't want to go into reasons for that. I have a lot of very bad experiences with AT&T and a lot of good experience with VZW, offsetting that is that my current phone(s) are GSM.
So.... should I try to live with AT&T or get a new phone and go with VZW? Price will be exactly the same either way but I'll need to sell some phones and get a new one (eBay or Craig's List, no contract!)
And, if the recommendation is VZW what CDMA phone is close to the MyTouch 4G in performance and features?
Any suggestions much appreciated, thanks!

Anybody?
10 Characters

I'm not really sure what verizon phone is the closest to what you have right now, but they do have a few good smartphone options. I will say that if you're planning on switching, you should do so before the 7th because there will be no more unlimited data on new plans after that.

I've been on sprint for awhile now mainly because the pricing. The evo 4g is comparable to the mytouch 4g. The evo 3d just came out for sprint recently which is a beast of a phone but I'm not upgrading just yet. Explore all your options and visit androidcentral, they have many reviews of android phones from all carriers. I'd suggest looking over there to get some more input
Sent from Erik Estrada

the merger has not happened yet and it will be at least 8 months till it goes down and then prob at least half a year till everything gets switched. People are worried but it takes time to get thing swiched over. You might even get a cheap trade off phone when that happens. There is nothing cheaper than TMO and you seem to be happy with it. Why not just stick with it till the merger happens.
Pick up a Sensation or a G2X and stay on Tmo as long as you can.
But if you really want to switch then I would pick verizon (unfortunetely there are not phones on vzn that I really care for right now but you cant go wrong with the network availability and speed but super high prices).
As mentioned you should consider sprint, closest to tmobile in prices and decent network with 1 nice phone which is the evo 3D.
gluck.

Thanks for the answers!
First, I have no contract nor will I, I'll stick with T-Mo as long as possible but it's never too soon to start searching Craig's List or Ebay for a phone if I do go to VZW. Question is, if I port my number now, will I still have unlimited data next month or the month after on a month to month deal?
Pricing, Sprint is the most expensive option by far, both VZW and AT&T offer senior plans which I had when I was with VZW before, Sprint has nothing similar. BTW, T-Mo only saves me $5/mo over VZW. I get more minutes I can't use/don't want with T-Mo but who cares?
Coverage: I switched to T-Mo because they had coverage where I need it, VZW doesn't (I know, that's the reverse of most people's experience!) but w/o UMA/WiFi calling I'll be back to no coverage in most places where I need it regardless of who I chose.
(T-Mo used to offer an unlimited data only plan with per minute voice, that was the best for me but it's no longer available.)

technology moves pretty fast these days.. i would ride out your t mobile plan until the merger gets closer then look into plans and phones. As one person stated verizon is dumping unlimited plans after the 7th so maybe thats a deciding factor for you.

Thanks

TheIceCreamMan said:
technology moves pretty fast these days..
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I agree but I'm usually happy with a phone that's a little behind the curve.
i would ride out your t mobile plan until the merger gets closer then look into plans and phones. As one person stated verizon is dumping unlimited plans after the 7th so maybe thats a deciding factor for you.
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I looked at plans and phones today, VZW still has the Old Fart's plan for $30/mo so that's fine, the data is a worry. I can get the unlimited plan today but w/o a contract will I get to keep it next month?
With the 65 Plus plan for $30 and the data plan for $30 I'd be paying only $5/mo more than T-Mobile but with no UMA/WiFi calling which is a major problem and the reason I'm staying with T-Mo as long as possible!
The change from unlimited data is a good reason to switch today but with no guarantee that I can keep the unlimited plan I'm scared to change!

I don't know how unlimited data works without a contract, you'd have to ask Verizon. As for wifi calling, why not just use Google voice?

On a scale of 1 to 10 I rate UMA as a 10, WiFi Calling as about a 6, Google Voice as a 0. It's just not an acceptable alternative but it is an alternative I suppose...

I would suggest not to try AT&T - pretty poor network .. Also, they dont seem to have an unlimited data plan.

I agree with that but I suspect that AT&T will remain T-Mobile for some time after the buyout, as in honoring my current plan and maybe continuing to offer UMA/WiFi calling. I expect everything will continue unchanged for some weeks, maybe months? I'll switch when I have to unless something unexpected happens.
I'm able to switch any time, I have an old VZW BB, an 8330, so I can port my number over right now if I need to....

4G network T-Mobile
At this rate, when people test 6G we started erecting 4G network is OK

I have a month to month deal with Verizon. Coverage is good here in Western PA, much better than AT&T. Very happy to still have unlimited data!

I have had sprint for a short time, but it has been really good.

arunprakashl said:
I would suggest not to try AT&T - pretty poor network .. Also, they dont seem to have an unlimited data plan.
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Unlimited data seems to be as extinct as dinosaurs, those who have it will be allowed to keep it (for who knows how long?) but new customers can't get it.
I have an unlimited plan with T-Mo but I'm sure that'll be going away, the question is how long will it last after the buyout? I'm guessing I'm OK for at least a month but then????
For most customers, the lowest limit offered by most companies is more than adequate.

With AT&T for awhile now. Not too impressed with coverage or service. I wouldn't recommend them at this point. Would have stayed T-mobile but their coverage was worse where I need to go. If T-mobile works for you, why change. When AT&T merged with Cingular, it didn't affect customer of either company until they signed up for new contracts, which sounds like it won't be you.
I don't know if it is a precursor to what's coming but a new T-mobile device from Huawei is being tested by the FCC with T-mobile and AT&T HSPA+ bands. Max speed @ 42mbps. Engadget has a small article on it.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using the power of the dark side.

Tmobile and Att merge still could not happen.

Very interesting read. Att don't need tmobile and it will reduce competition which sucks for us.. Lets pray it don't happen.
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Leaked-ATT-Letter-Demolishes-Case-For-TMobile-Merger-115652
I want to keep my g2x for a while now, things a beast. I hope this merge falls through.

Good read, I hope this dents any forward movements of the acquisition. I would like to stay with tmobile, they've been the most fair from any other companies. And although times are changing and data needs to be tiered they still have some of the best plans for it available. I live in Chicago, so coverage isn't a problem for me, even when I went to school an hour away in the cornfields, I saw the coverage expand to out there with 3g, which lets me know they do improve their network, at least by me.
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I already left T-Mobile for Sprint, if the acquisition fails, I may go back to them. I love their service and coverage but I do not want AT&T ever again!
Sent From My UN-Rooted Evo!

Me too. god I hoper it don't go through. If it does verizon and lte here I come.
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Black-Dash said:
I already left T-Mobile for Sprint, if the acquisition fails, I may go back to them. I love their service and coverage but I do not want AT&T ever again!
Sent From My UN-Rooted Evo!
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Unfortunately, people leaving T-Mobile for other carriers further justifies the acquisition in the eyes of the committees, being as T-Mobile 'needs' AT&T to 'rescue' them from their lack of profit due to losing customers. Of course, most of the gaping wound the customers are leaving through was created by AT&T's lovely commercials designed to convince the populace the deal is already signed and done, when the truth is quite the opposite.
Sadly, the more people leave and the fewer new customers T-Mobile gets every day is moving the deal closer and closer to becoming a reality :/
O, and as a side note, I'm sick of people calling this deal a merger. This is not a merger. The nicest word you can give this is 'acquisition'. It is closer to a buy and butcher program. A merger implies something will remain of T-Mobile on every level, especially upper management. DT is simply trying to offload T-Mobile onto the highest bidder, which just happened to be the reanimated corpse of Ma Bell. If any of AT&T's other acquisitions are anything to go by, especially considering how little of T-Mobile's current network AT&T actually needs, this is a situation of a company purely buying another to remove competition. AT&T will be closing a huge number of redundant stores and dismantling even more cell towers across the company they don't actually need. They will sell off the property and lay off at least 40-60% of the also redundant employees (including me) they don't need due to most of their facilities being practically next door to ours.
The USA will no longer have a choice of GSM carriers, which will remove all hope of having phones that can use the same frequencies and switching SIM cards when you please to leave an abusive carrier. AT&T's only real competition will be Verizon, which they have been closely following each others prices for years now. If you think you're paying a lot for a cell plan now, wait until AT&T is back in charge of pricing with no T-Mobile to cut under the price wall. T-Mobile has been losing profits because they've been trying to drag AT&T's prices down AND build massive improvements out to their network, while AT&T sits on a ridiculous amount of cash to fight the price battle with and hasn't been building their network out by choice. Not only that, but AT&T controls a HUGE chunk of the pipes in the USA that carriers have to lease from them in order to have backhaul to the tower. AT&T has been jacking the prices up on the backhaul but refusing to upgrade their equipment to allow other carriers to get better bandwidth to the site. There are no problems like that leasing backhaul from companies that don't compete directly with T-Mobile, AT&T just does it because they can and they have the biggest stick (huge sums of capital, political and corporate lackeys, etc) to beat competitors around with.
/rant

I've had every carrier (including Cricket and Boost) except for Verizon, and T-Mobile has been the best provider in terms of coverage and customer service I've had. I hope this aqusition doesn't go through. I can't see myself paying for tiered data plans and I'd hate to have to go back to sprint for unlimited plans seeing as the photon is their new flagship device.
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CESAROX said:
I've had every carrier (including Cricket and Boost) except for Verizon, and T-Mobile has been the best provider in terms of coverage and customer service I've had. I hope this aqusition doesn't go through. I can't see myself paying for tiered data plans and I'd hate to have to go back to sprint for unlimited plans seeing as the photon is their new flagship device.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App
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Not only that but it would cost to break contact, for me id have to pay sprint a deposit etc..
So leaving isn't a option for me..
Only.1gsm carrier and no choices is just stupid. I really hope this **** don't go through cause I hate att...