Topic 'Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back' in forum '' - dslreports.com

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:47:34 EDT

openbox9 posted : I responded to you yesterday with a similar comment. But anyway, it might do you well to actually understand my general perspective before throwing accusations around. If you don't want to read any of my previous posts for background, there are many here that will gladly tell you my general position...typically because they aren't happy with it.

I often criticize Karl.

I didn't suggest a majority stake by any of those companies.

I'm aware of what Cox is doing.

I understand what a "blog" is, thank you.

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:44:04 EDT

xenophon posted :

said by Karl Bode:

Yeah, not great returns so far. True. I'm sure the cable operators who have fielded re-branded Mobile WiMax are watching the next six months with great interest.

One model: Sprint/Tmob merge perhaps with Lightsquared, Clear sold to a cable company (or Google?). If the cable companies are going to play in the wireless space long term, they'll want WiMAX, not LTE, which is controlled by the telcom industry (3GPP).

It would make sense that DT would want control of the merger but the Feds may not allow it. If that happens, DT may just dump Tmob to Sprint and get out of the US market.

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:18:23 EDT

anon posted : and that is its stake as far as the joint venture. NOTHING says that they won't purchase the company with others like TWC and Comcast did with Adelphia.

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:33:16 EDT

openbox9 posted :

said by MEohME :

This would be a GREAT thing for TWC, Comcast and Cox to all purchase long with Google.

They already own stakes in Clearwire. Cox is off doing its own network build and partnership with Sprint.

said by MEohME :

Comcast has invested a lot along with the others. There is no way in hell Comcast will let their money go no where.

Sure.... ;)

»blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/09/22/···earwire/

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:22:23 EDT

anon posted : This would be a GREAT thing for TWC, Comcast and Cox to all purchase long with Google. Google would be able to launch their "open" network and offer it to resellers. Comcast has invested a lot along with the others. There is no way in hell Comcast will let their money go no where. This would also be a great way for any rural telco to move to. A total IP network and kill the last mile copper. would be a great move with backups. Run Internet and Phone without a problem.

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:18:56 EDT

anon posted : Sprint would have to be "purchased" by TMO before DT would even give any money. They'll want controlling interest in that company. They're not stupid.

And there is really nothing stopping them from doing it now. Hell - look at a LOT of the US operating companies. They're mostly foreign owned- Lego is one of them. Their based in Denmark and still owned by the family that created them.

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:31:24 EDT

Karl Bode posted : Yeah, not great returns so far. True. I'm sure the cable operators who have fielded re-branded Mobile WiMax are watching the next six months with great interest.

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:21:33 EDT

openbox9 posted : Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't those quadruple plays been fairly lackluster at best? I would expect a bigger advantage lies with partnering with a conglomerate including Lightsquare, and its rumored increasing backing, rather than going down with a sinking ship.

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:59:48 EDT

Karl Bode posted : That's my guess too, but you never know....there's some big cable names riding on that network for their "quadruple play," so a few things could happen...

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:51:08 EDT

openbox9 posted :

said by Karl Bode:

Nobody knows what happens to Clearwire amidst all this movement yet.

Drowning under increasing debt load? Sprint is/was Clear's savior. If it leaves the partnership, and Clear isn't part of whatever M&A that occurs, one can almost certainly throw Clear to the history books.

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:32:44 EDT

criggs posted : Thanks for dissecting the two takes on the situation. I appreciate the clarification.

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:26:28 EDT

Karl Bode posted : Lightsquared using Sprint's network retrofit as the cornerstone of their LTE build is our scoop. Having Lightsquared as a major LTE partner could involve getting rid of Clearwire. Sprint's preparing for that possibility.

The Journal story simply states there have been talks about merging T-Mobile and Sprint, which I think have been ongoing for some time (see this bit I wrote last summer). It also says the deal "could" include Clearwire, but that talks have been ongoing and nothing is happening right now.

Nobody knows what happens to Clearwire amidst all this movement yet.

Re: Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:12:03 EDT

criggs posted :

said by xenophon:

they and Tmob may as well do it together

This is getting really confusing, or perhaps I'm just being dumb. Karl's scoop is that Sprint has launched Project Freedom, which will be Sprint's "liberation" from Clearwire.

But this Wall Street Journal article is saying that the Sprint-T-Mobile merger will INCLUDE Clearwire.

WTF???!!!

Sprint/Tmobile merger rumor is back

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:30:04 EDT

xenophon posted :
»online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142···news_wsj

It's inevitable this will happen whether in 1 or 5 years if they are to compete with ATT/VZW. Sprint has to go to LTE eventually anyway - they and Tmob may as well do it together with some financial backing from DT - if the feds allow it.