MetroPCS Likes Idea Of T-Mobile, AT&T Merger 'This is a One-and-One-Makes-Less-Than-Two situation,' Says Company According to wireless sector upstart MetroPCS, the AT&T and T-Mobile merger will be a good thing -- for them. Speaking to Connected Planet, chief operating officer Tom Keys makes it clear that it doesn't much matter if you're facing down three or four giants when you're a company as small as MetroPCS. "We think this is a one-and-one-makes-less-than-two situation, as it knocks another competitor out of the market," Keys said. "We think this is a really good time for Metro to put our head down and get down to business." If the deal closes, MetroPCS -- at 8 million subscribers -- becomes the fourth largest carrier in the United States, and the company says they expect a "12-to-24 month jump ball" for T-Mobile customers if the deal happens.
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  FBGuyyippee ki yayPremium
join:2005-03-19 | ha ha This guy is delusional. MetroPCS has even less coverage than T-Mobile had. No way are they going to be able to pick up very many of the former T-Mobile customers. | |
|  |  tiger72SexaT duorPPremium
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO
kudos:1
 ·T-Mobile US
| Re: ha ha Their coverage isn't available in all markets. They effectively split the nation with Leap. But the bigger issue at hand is the lack of remotely good data handsets. Their LTE network certainly leaves one wanting, as it's on par with the low end of Clear WiMax.
They may pick up some of TMO's voice-centric customers, but their data customers will either get stuck with ATT or VZW if Sprint doesn't get their crap together.
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"What makes us omniscient? Have we a record of omniscience? ...If we can't persuade nations with comparable values of the merit of our cause, we'd better reexamine our reasoning."
-United States Secretary of Defense (1961-1968) Robert S. McNamara | |
| | | | said by FBGuy:This guy is delusional. MetroPCS has even less coverage than T-Mobile had. No way are they going to be able to pick up very many of the former T-Mobile customers.
I'm in. I don't need coverage, I don't go anywhere there's farms or empty land. MetroPCS seems good in the urban areas, good enough form me if they kick their data up. | |
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 Romney2012Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe inPremium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4 |  MetroPCS still loses - can't get hot phones & that sells
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»www.speedtest.net/wave/afe201cb84d45c88 | |
| |  UnKownThe Underground Network
join:2002-09-08
Orlando, FL | Re: MetroPCS still loses - can't get hot phones & that sells I disagree with this. Recently Metropcs got a decent smartphone, and no not the craft, its the nexus s product. Decent reviews so far. It appears that they are not going to stop there. Customers want smart phones, at a low service price. | |
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 BulgaroAndroid, There's a hack for that
join:2001-05-24
Cape Coral, FL | They're Lighting UP LTE Regardless of where they end up, and I don't think they can compete with either carrier alone, much less after the merger. Their continue implementation of LTE, is something to take notice of, article here »goo.gl/rTY0Z
AT&T has issue implementing 4G (HSPA+) And T-Mobile renamed theirs to 4G as a marketing gimmick I've stopped signing contracts a long time ago. You really don't get a deal, you just think you are. I'm currently using Simple Mobile which run on T-Mobile towers and have access to their (4G) speeds all for $35 less than T-Mobile. And in this economy every little bit counts.
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Morals are defined by what we do when no one is watching
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| | | LMAO Now that funny sorry but as a T mobile user now your not in the running when I jump ship when ATT takes over...... | |
| | |  MetroPCS likes the idea?
He was stating a fact. My opinion... Less choice will be bad for consumers. | |
| | | Merger = Very bad news I am writing to try to expose an unethical practice by AT&T Wireless. For the past 4 years, I have been a customer of AT&T Wireless until just recently. The reason I switched is because out of 4 lines on a family share plan (2 of which are smartphones we own outright - and not subsidized) we were spending $183 monthly on our wireless bill. This amount was for voice and text service on all 4 lines plus mobile data on 2 of the lines which were smartphones. To save my family some money, I elected to discontinue the text messaging service and data on our account (a difference of $80) and our final monthly amount would have been around $100 monthly, which is a number we felt was acceptable and viable for our family. For our data needs, we elected to use the WiFi function on our smartphones (which we paid more than $500 outright for) in liu of AT&T's expensive mobile data plans.
After dealing with 5 AT&T reps, we were sternly told that AT&T's new "policy" was that ALL smartphones were now required to have a mobile data plan and could no longer opt out. They told me our only option was to put our SIM cards into a "dumb phone" to escape the data tariffs. I don't find this an acceptable or ethical practice, especially since we use these devices on WiFi and are happy with that, with the added fact that they also function as media players for us when we go to the gym (like iPods). We've invested a lot of money on these devices which we worked very hard for and are now being told essentially that we don't have the right to own them in order to escape these "mandatory fees", which clearly are technically not required.
Further more, AT&T now performs an extortion practice whereby they scan their network for the IMEI (a phone's unique identifier) to detect if you are using a smartphone, so even if you "downgrade" to a dumbphone, remove the data tariff, then insert a SIM back into a smartphone (which you own outright) their system identifies the change and AUTOMATICALLY adds, without your permission, the mandatory data tariff - even if you disable it on your phone and use WiFi instead! The equivalent analogy to apply here is a cable company detecting that you are using an HD TV and automatically upgrading you to a mandatory HD Cable package - why should they? They certainly aren't allowed to do this, so why is AT&T & Verizon allowed to? This should be illegal practice and the consumer should have the right to opt out of data if they own a smartphone outright and without carrier subsidy!
As a result of this issue, I went to a T-mobile store and brought my family share plan to them - porting all 4 lines over and because T-mobile does not require us to buy a data plan, we happily use these devices on their network and pay only for the services we desire (voice and text). Since our smartphone handsets are GSM, we are able to make this move easily by just inserting the new T-mobile SIM cards into our existing devices. Since we are bringing our own equipment, we also receive a $10/month discount on the family service plan which effectively services all 4 lines at a $103/month savings. We now pay $80/month for the services we want and are happy T-mobile exists to be able to do this for us.
When you buy an expensive device, like a smartphone, you should not be told you are not allowed to use it as a result of opting out of a data plan. This story badly needs to be broken and put in the public spotlight. Our "smartphones" are more than just smartphones, they also perform many other essential functions: music player, personal calendar/assistant, pocket computer, and even on some models, an FM radio.
If the merger goes through, we are sure that we will once again be subject to the extorted fees the new firm will likely implement under the control of AT&T. A good reason to write the FCC, FTC, and SEC about stopping this merger. If you use a GSM phone, you owe it to yourself to get your pens moving! | |
| | | | Re: Merger = Very bad news You just touched on one or two of the many benefits tmobile has over at&t. And your analogy to cable TV is right on. It should be illegal, at a minimum it's unethical.
However you have to remember that Apple requires AT&T to kick back money from their iphone users. It's possible AT&T would abandon this requirement if they weren't on the hook financially for you using the device on their network. What in essence you are seeing is the standard apple tax that ATT finds is easier to apply across their smartphones. VZW by the way has the same restrictions. | |
| | | | Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint all seem to have this mandatory data plan requirement with smart phones you own that are put on their networks. I totally disagree with this policy and will not support it.
I am also a T-Mobile user and have written everyone you mentioned to stop this proposed merger. T-Mobile is really a breath of fresh air compared to the less consumer friendly offerings of the others.
If the deal does go through, we may port to Consumer Cellular. They allow smart phones on their GSM network without data plans. They also have inexpensive, low use, data-text options. It's only 2G (EDGE data), but it is less expensive for many users than AT&T. It runs on AT&T's and other regional carriers' GSM networks. Their customer service is USA based. Unfortunately, their rates are mostly set by AT&T, so prices could go up in the future with less GSM competition.
With Wi-Fi inside, and using Opera on EDGE, CC should be acceptable for many budget minded smart phone users. | |
| |  aaronwtPremium
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
 ·Verizon FiOS
| This is becoming the norm in the wireless industry now. It's nothing new to require a data plan for all smartphones.
Basically if someone doens't like it they can go to another carrier and try them out. No one is forced to stay with a wireless carrier. | |
| | Reviews:
·AT&T Wireless Br..
| Well most of these smaller cell companys bounce there signal off of sprint,att,verizon didnt you know that right? Well if you dont its true.
just like net10,tracfone, prepaid cricket bounce off of att network.
virgin mobile,boost mobile,Straight Talk they bounce off of verizon network.
tmobile bounces off of sprint network.
also looks like consumer wireless bounces off of att. | |
| | | | | Re: Merger = Very bad news said by treichhart:Well most of these smaller cell companys bounce there signal off of sprint,att,verizon didnt you know that right? Well if you dont its true.
just like net10,tracfone, prepaid cricket bounce off of att network.
virgin mobile,boost mobile,Straight Talk they bounce off of verizon network.
tmobile bounces off of sprint network.
also looks like consumer wireless bounces off of att.
Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile are owned by Sprint, so they don't "bouce off of" Verizon.
T-Mobile is GSM while Sprint is CDMA so, they don't "bouce off of" each other either. | |
| | | iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Golden, CO
kudos:2 Reviews:
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·Comcast
| Where did you get your information? Because it's flawed.
Net10, Tracfone and Straight Talk use AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile (in that order of preference) depending on the area. A given phone will sit on one of those networks as its home carrier.
CricKet uses its own network where it has it, prepaid or postpaid...never mind the fact that they're CDMA 1900/1700MHz vs. AT&T/s 850/1900 GSM/HSPA network. CricKet roams on Sprint (and maybe Verizon?) but they definitely have their own network in the areas that they specifically say they cover.
Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile use Sprint, with Virgin Mobile using Sprint CDMA and Boost using Sprint CDMA or iDEN, depending on the phone.
T-Mobile owns its own network. 1900MHz GSM/EDGE, 1700MHz HSPA. They have nothing to do with Sprint.
Consumer Cellular uses AT&T. | |
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|  joakoPremium
join:2000-09-07
/dev/null
kudos:5
·Comcast
| Buy an UNLOCKED UNBRANDED smartphone like from Canadian provider.
Then you can remove data plan OR use $15/month MediaNet unlimited plan.
You can not do this with phone that AT&T currently or previously has sold or any AT&T-branded phone.
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PRescott7-2097 | |
| | Reviews:
·AT&T Wireless Br..
| you might relook at it little bit better.
straight talk/boost mobile/virgin mobile is using verizon network because all there phones are CDMA based.
Tracfone is GSM with SIM card based same as NET10 they use ATT network.
Cricket is GSM with SIM card Based. | |
| |  dnoyeBFerrous Phallus
join:2000-10-09
Southfield, MI | Very interesting. T-Mobile certainly used to require you have a data plan if you have a smart phone. I never heard they changed. However, you can just swap a sim and use your smart phone on a non-data plan. T-mobile does check to see your phone type. But they don't do anything if you see you have a smart phone.
I use a nexus one I bought myself with wifi. No data plan. don't intend to ever get a data plan.
Beyond that, Tmobile has really improved their plan offerings. You actually don't have to get a contract, and its cheaper if you dont. I like tmobile very much now. if att pushes me into a plan I will be unhappy. I wonder if I shouldn't grab a contract now...
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dnoyeB
"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard. " Ecclesiastes 9:16
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| | Uhh... MetroPCS relies on backhaul and towers rented out from their competitors. T-Mobile merging with AT&T will force their prices up. | |
| | | | | iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Golden, CO
kudos:2 | Re: Uhh... Or dedicated backhaul bandwidth companies like Zayo. They're the guys behind many of T-Mobile's HSPA+ deployments, bandwidth-wise. | |
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BiggA
join:2005-11-23
EARTH Reviews:
·Comcast
| Says it like it is I'm glad this guy says it like it is. I hope, however, that MetroPCS ramps up their smartphone offerings, and allows USCC to get AWS phones that support roaming on MetroPCS to create a 3-way Metro/USCC/Sprint alliance to provider better service and competition. | |
| | | MetroPCS approving the deal... Yeah sure, this guy says it like it is all right. The lion jumps on the deer's back and eats it, as the lion cub sits back and watches, patiently waiting to scavange on the remains after the lion has eaten his fill. American unregulated Corporate capitalism at its finest. Dog eat dog to the max. | |
| | | is this CEO stupid? is this CEO stupid you really think T-Mobile users will jump to your company? well buddy I would say not they probably go to sprint or verizon or risking to being bought out by the top 3 players since your a small pea on. | |
| | iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Golden, CO
kudos:2 Reviews:
·Verizon Online DSL
·Comcast
| Re: is this CEO stupid? Peon.
Also, CricKet and MetroPCS would have precisely two suitors: the other company (merger) or Sprint (purchase). Verizon doesn't need them. AT&T doesn't need them.
If people can stand MetroPCS's data speeds, and MetroPS works where those people go, they'll get customers from T-Mobile. It's that simple. | |
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 C0deZer0Oc'D To Rhythm And PolicePremium
join:2001-10-03
Davenport, FL | I'm sure they'd like to think that but personally, I see no way that this merger can legitimately benefit anyone at all, except for maybe the board of directors @ AT&T, those at Sprint that wanted to leave, and the terminally short-sighted stockholders.
I still say that there is no reason that this merger could possibly be in any way legal. If it is allowed to go through, it gives AT&T monopoly status on GSM mobile communications... and they'll have absolutely no reason to actually improve on the network at all; if anything, buying T-Mo means they'll have *cough* less money to upgrade towers and add new ones to extend the network further. On this facet alone it should be enough to call the Sherman anti-trust/competitive/whatever-the-hell it's called law to stop it from happening.
This will effectively bone outside-the-US customers that have unlocked phones and want to still use their phone with a new SIM card. AT&T will simply mandate these people sign contracts even when they're not going to be here that long, and pay heinous monthly rates... so incoming foreign consumers are screwed.
Everyone on T-Mo that is enjoying their plans will be "grandfathered" in, but, locked ot their existing phones. Even if they later have said phone bust and purchase a replacement, AT&T will simply find some way to screw them into 'revoking' their grandfathered contract and force them into a new contract with new draconian limitations - limitations specifically engineered to scare away people from actually using their devices as they were meant to be used. How do I know this? Because AT&T has tried to do this to me several times while I was stuck as a customer with their so-called "service."  it's one of the reasons I was glad to leave them and go with Metro.
As far as Metro getting some better phones... it's a possibility. They now finally have a 4G Android phone, but I simply can't spare the $400 to pony up for it yet... even though the extra $10/month for an unlimited 4G plan with them wouldn't break the bank as badly. I would certainly like to see them offer more 4G-capable phones, and more Android in general.
It's also well documented that AT&T spends the absolute least per-subscriber to maintain and/or expand their network. It's also no secret that their network - as is - sucks. Yet instead of actually investing to improve their product, they buy out a competitor. How droll. 
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Because, f*ck Sony | |
| | | |  Re: I'm sure they'd like to think that
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jfmezeiPremium
join:2007-01-03
Pointe-Claire, QC
kudos:22 Reviews:
·ELECTRONICBOX
| No merger is easy AT&T and t-mobile will "slow down" during their merger while they spend money to combine their networks. Thre will be glitches and unhappy customers who see their original plans changes to more expensive ones.
Competitors can take advantage of this. Consider that Cingular spent much time and money merging with AT&T and rebranding itself twice, and that spending delayed spedning for network infrastructure. And now AT&T is paying for it with very bad PR for its network quality. Yet another merger will take the focus away from upgrades,
This gives a chance to competitors to steal customers while AT&T will be busiy cleaning up its merger.
Problem is that MetroPCS is a CDMA shop, so they too need to change their network. LTE deployments now are basically just pilot projects. It isnt until LTE handles voice that we'll see true migration.
AT&T has to be very careful about this merger with T-Mobile not distract its from upgrading to LTE. | |
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