Apple Said to Consider Becoming a Mobile Carrier by Leasing Network Capacity in U.S. and Europe

[jlseattle]

On T-Mobile now and unlimited everything for $80.00. If they give me that and maybe Apple Music included with membership I would switch. But if it is more expensive with no value add than what is the difference (who cares if it is Apple providing leased network to their customers). For the most part I don't notice what carrier I'm on unless it is time to pay the monthly bill.

 

[Alenore]

No thanks.
While software is correct and hardware is excellent, service definitely is the weak part of Apple.

 

[nagromme]

I don't think many people are actually reading the article... or the headline

Apple would be leasing network capacity from the established players. Tons of smaller carriers do that same thing. Don't panic.

 

[Edgar Spayce]

Never trusting Apple with anything like it.

 

[Tom8]

I wonder how frequently this potential network would go down, pretty often if iCloud is anything to go by

 

[bhayes444]

They would have to do something like allow users to access iCloud or Apple Music or even download Apps without it eating their data plan if they want iOS users to consider switching network carriers.

Funny thing is, Apple would most likely have to use Sprint and T-Mobile in the US to keep prices competitive, and T-Mobile already allows unlimited Apple Music streaming. I don't really see the point of them becoming an MVNO except to try and tie all things related to iOS into their branding.

 

[Rogifan]

So who at Apple is driving this? Eddy Cue has enough on his plate as is and it's not like cloud services under him are best in class.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Really curious as to how Apple plans to attack this. Google Fi is fine if you are on Wi-Fi 99% of the time, or use very little data.

I have a coworker who gave Google Fi a test run and found that it gave him better coverage and signal strength, and at a cheaper price, than Verizon, so he swapped.

Because of his experience with Google Fi, I'm extremely interested in Apple doing a similar thing.

Also, how long did it take Google to make Google Fi a thing? I feel like all the hardware is already in place for Apple to flip a switch at any point. All they need is deals in place, which I feel like could have been done in secrecy, so they could do it as soon as with the 6S launch.

 

[iansilv]

This would be so great! These mobil carriers are nothing but data pipes and this move would cement that fact!

 

[0003462]

This would be pretty great, but it seems some folks here aren't understanding it, judging by the negativity.

It isn't Apple creating a new network, it's Apple leasing network coverage that already exists, from multiple carriers, so your Apple SIM switches between them depending on which has the best coverage. That's great.

 

[Will0827]

Or apple could do something crazy, and buy tmobile and sprint (not going to happen obviously) but the leasing will be the first step to then getting all nice and cuddly with them and then buy them. And then they will do that for other smaller carriers elsewhere and then rule the world.

 

[iansilv]

This. If it has unlimited data, I'll immediately switch.

This. if it has unlimited data like this guy said, I'll immediately switch.

 

[QuiteSharp]

I love how all of Tim's moves seem to be copied straight from google. Fire him please. Google already is a wireless carrier and unless Apple can beat Googles extremely low prices, this will fail hard.

Could also be that Google reveal their cards much sooner than Apple usually do. It's difficult to say which one got the idea first but in the end it doesn't really matter as competition between the two is a good thing for us consumers. One thing is certain, though; I nowadays understand better than ever why Steve Jobs would say that Google, not Samsung, is Apple's main competitor.

 

[blacktape242]

Competition is always a healthy thing.

 

[bbeagle]

I'd still rather talk to 'Lily' about phone service.

 

[ShotgunD]

I don't know. Just leave it up to the big boys to do it.

Apple IS the big boy. The telecoms are the sleezy middlemen.

 

[1Zach1]

Would this (Theoretically) allow me to use my voice/data in Europe without having to do anything?

 

[Awfisch]

I have a hunch that this isn't for mobile phones, tablets or other handheld (or worn) devices. This is for a car. Carriers are well suited for handheld devices because they help cover the cost. With a vehicle, that advantage is not as valuable. It seems to make sense that you would get 'free data' if you purchase an Apple Car.
Just food for thought.

 

[Pablo90]

Don't do it Tim. Too many headaches and Wall St. will punish aapl. And let's not forget regulators. They're probably salivating over these rumors.

Actually regulators usually care more about horizontal deals, rather than vertical ones... They probably would not care.


The fact is, if apple signs deals to use the infrastructure of several carriers, it could mean better coverage and maybe even no more roaming fees... But to be honest, carriers like Orange or Lebara operate in different countries, but roaming fees still exist.... for now.

In the EU they should be on their way to eliminating all roaming fees (they passed a law a few years back, it should be enter into force these months I guess), while Switzerland's major carrier already offers plans without roaming in Europe (either completely, or 30 days per year with the entry-level subscriptions).
Therefore, I'm guessing in 5 years roaming fees won't exist anymore, in Europe at least.

 

[LordQ]

Bring it to Mexico and sign me up!

 

[Rogifan]

Could also be that Google reveal their cards much sooner than Apple usually do. It's difficult to say which one got the idea first but in the end it doesn't really matter as competition between the two is a good thing for us consumers. One thing is certain, though; I nowadays understand better than ever why Steve Jobs would say that Google, not Samsung, is Apple's main competitor.

Does anyone really think Apple just started thinking about this after Google announced Fi? This is why I hate all these copying charges (outside of the blatant stuff from certain Chinese companies). Companies have lots of irons in the fire. Just because one announces something first doesn't mean another copied it.

 

[jlc1978]

Makes longterm sense. Content is becoming as important to Apple as hardware / software. As a result, they need to address the data bottlenecks associated with caps, etc. users will face if they become heavy consumers of streaming content. It doesn't matter to an end user if Apple is not at fault for a $100 data charge or that throttling makes streaming useless; users will simply cancel the Apple service. Apple could help eliminate that by buying access in bulk from carriers and using that to provide essentially unlimited access to purchased content on the iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV; while still limiting data access to others if they want.

Apple's advantage is they know the usage patterns of their users in streaming content and can purchase enough data to cover that while spreading the cost evenly over heavy, light and medium users so no one user group is negatively impacted by their use patterns. Even if Apple breaks even on the service the content purchases could be very lucrative.

 

[JonneyGee]

Risky move for Apple. How many people do you know who love their carrier's reception? If Apple is just leasing from them, it won't be any better and those negative opinions will then be projected to Apple.

 

[rdlink]

I don't know. Just leave it up to the big boys to do it.

Yeah, because they're doing so well. Apple could buy one of the "big boys" if they wanted to.

 

[trifid]

Apple is known for charging high premiums, so I'm not sure how competitive they would be BUT, more options: more competition. Bring it on.