AT&T Gives Up on T-Mobile Acquisition

[FoxyKaye]

I'm mixed about this. It isn't as if T-Mobile is going to survive very long as an independent company, or that they will invest any more in their network. No other wireless carrier could swallow them whole. Verizon would have the same anti-trust issues, and Sprint would have difficulty integrating T-Mobile into their network. The regional carriers could acquire only pieces, and its doubtful that a cable or satellite company would be any better than AT&T at actually running T-Mobile or keeping its competitive rates. The AT&T deal wasn't great, but there could have been other measures (asset sales, forced interoperability between Verizon and AT&T on their 700MHz 4G networks) to allay antitrust concerns.

In the meantime, AT&T still needs spectrum if it's ever going to improve its network. A roaming deal won't do as much as a full merger would have. Hopefully T-Mobile will strike a deal to be included in the next iPhone release (Apple would need to include a penta-band 3G chip). If they do, and they include HSPA+ 21 or 42, then an unlocked iPhone 5 may well be an attractive proposition.

I can relate to what you're saying. I'm thrilled that AT&T didn't just become AT&TT-Mobile, but the reality is that DT has essentially tipped its hand that it wants out of the US market. So as a T-Mobile customer, it feels like the writing is on the wall anyhow. And I *love* T-Mobile: great customer service (actually, almost cult-ish at times), decent reception in the places I work and travel, and great pricing. With my Nexus One, I can also tether directly on to 3G without any additional cost and I've got their version of unlimited data (slows down after crossing 2GB or so).

But I'm keeping an eye on Sprint, both because of its pending WiMax to LTE conversion and the types of phones becoming available for it (Android and the iPhone). And also because it seems like I'll need to be leaving T-Mobile anyway within the next 2 years by hook or crook.

 

[425]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)



I know why you might not be a fan of it, but I don't know why you think that you have a right to tell AT&T what it can and can't do with its money.

Because this is a forum, where people give their opinion on everything. Thought that one was kind of obvious...

What I mean is that you seem to be happy that the government is denying AT&T its rights. Why do you think that AT&T shouldn't have the right to merge with T-Mobile?

 

[rjlawrencejr]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)



I know why you might not be a fan of it, but I don't know why you think that you have a right to tell AT&T what it can and can't do with its money.

Last I checked, I don't tell AT&T how to spend money on infrastructure or marketing or salaries. The problem was AT&T was trying to buy out a competitor, that's what got the ire of so many.

Now the irony is AT&T may end up with T-Mobile's customers and technology at some point in the future, however the circumstances will be different and there's always a possibility of others who will be interested in t-Mobile's assets if and when that time approaches.

 

[cmwade77]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)



What I mean is that you seem to be happy that the government is denying AT&T its rights. Why do you think that AT&T shouldn't have the right to merge with T-Mobile?

Actually, in the U.S., we have rules that you cannot buy your way into a Monopoly, which is what would happen if AT&T were allowed to by T-Mobile. So in this case, it is not a right. I am actually shocked that AT&T and Cingular were allowed to join back when they did, which was a bit after Sprint and Nextel. These mergers really reduced competition in the market place and AT&T and T-mobile merging would have eliminated it and ultimately caused Sprint to go out of business, leaving AT&T and Verizon and who knows how long Verizon would have lasted/

Now, Apple could buy T-Mobile without much of a headache, as it would still leave competition in the wireless market place.

Honestly, this would have been bad for everyone. As for if T-Mobile were to go bankrupt, I would imagine that the courts would step in and figure something out to where AT&T doesn't get anything, for the same reasons as above.

 

[cgmpowers]

Rather ticked now...

We dumped T-Mobile at the before the end of that month's billing cycle, and they still charged us for another month!! I told them I refused to pay because (a) we canceled before the new billing cycle started and (b) they'll be AT&T soon anyway--who we switched too.

Now I wonder if I have to pay those crooks now??? *****...

 

[macjoshua]

if i ran AT&T i would do everything i could to take down sprint, since they were so opposed because of harm to competition. go in and really compete: price lower than sprint in every market sprint is in, offer huge incentives to switch from sprint, launch 4g in those markets, and then see how much competition sprint really wants.

 

[foiden]

Where do people get this stuff?

The same place where things aren't taken seriously.

 

[Swift]

Our networks are nuts

We should just get a learned committee together and tell the carriers what protocols and bandwidth they will have to support. You don't need to BUY spectrum as long as everybody uses the same thing.

In other words, the whole model of letting one carrier or another buy exclusive spectrum is crazy. They're not broadcast stations, which need exclusivity. They sell access to the net, period.

----------

if i ran AT&T i would do everything i could to take down sprint, since they were so opposed because of harm to competition. go in and really compete: price lower than sprint in every market sprint is in, offer huge incentives to switch from sprint, launch 4g in those markets, and then see how much competition sprint really wants.

If you put your price down low, and lose money on that, then that's dumping, and it's unfair competition.

 

[foiden]

On a serious note, I still wonder about the whole phone business thing, anyway. Time and time again, it seems that they don't operate on the business model of *offer something for cheaper* style competition. They seem to rather want to buy out the competition before they even think about earning it by a cent of price reductions. If the price is cheaper, it's only because you went for the struggling little guy who is desperate for your dollar. However, once they get in the black, it's instant price match to the expensive competitors.

 

[QCassidy352]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)



What I mean is that you seem to be happy that the government is denying AT&T its rights. Why do you think that AT&T shouldn't have the right to merge with T-Mobile?

Actually, in the U.S., we have rules that you cannot buy your way into a Monopoly, which is what would happen if AT&T were allowed to by T-Mobile. So in this case, it is not a right. I am actually shocked that AT&T and Cingular were allowed to join back when they did, which was a bit after Sprint and Nextel. These mergers really reduced competition in the market place and AT&T and T-mobile merging would have eliminated it and ultimately caused Sprint to go out of business, leaving AT&T and Verizon and who knows how long Verizon would have lasted/

Now, Apple could buy T-Mobile without much of a headache, as it would still leave competition in the wireless market place.

Honestly, this would have been bad for everyone. As for if T-Mobile were to go bankrupt, I would imagine that the courts would step in and figure something out to where AT&T doesn't get anything, for the same reasons as above.

I don't think you know what the word "monopoly" means.

 

[Bigdaddyguido]

Wirelessly posted (Iphone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

Did anyone even read the technical parts of deal or did they just see the bold title and go "oh hell no". this merger would have done a huge benefit to end users and it would not have driven prices up. instead of 1 giant that overshadows AT&T, sprint, and tmobile, it would have been 2 giants overshadowing just sprint. Sprint would have gotten it stuck in the butt. But who cares, sprint has been aweful for years. But by no means would there have been a monopoly. as long as there are 2 or more companies making a product, they can't jack up prices.

Had they merged they intended to bring more 4g to AT&T, as well as far more coverage. and tmobile customers who were absorbed would have gotten a lot more coverage as well as a lot more options (like an official iphone for example). Merging two network technologies together would have been able to create a better network technology using the best from both.

So i don't know why everyone is hating so hard on the deal. I think it's a real shame it failed.

Imagine if the DoJ denied apple aquiring next, or anything of the other companies that made them what they are today. Instead of great products apple would have died and we'd have crap. But i guess people are more paranoid these days. If a company liked apple tried to buy a competing OS concept today they'd be denied because it discourages competition. As if. Only if EVERY competeitor was gone would it matter.

Thank you. It seems that many Americans have been brainwashed to believe competition automatically benefits the consumers. Unfortunately, in real life there are many, many other factors which play in this formula.

 

[cerote]

Invest how?

After buying T-Mobile... AT&T would have 10,000 new towers and more spectrum. That seems like a good investment.

AT&T wasn't buying T-Mobile just for their customer list, right?

Think about it, guys. Even though AT&T seems big and stupid... they did have a plan for all of this.

Also should mention that those towers would help in areas also where ATT was denied permission to build towers from residents and local government.

 

[Shanpdx]

Let us bring iPhone to T-mobile?

when apple when?

the sooner the better, before t-mobile dies itself.

 

[Fairfax]

Good news, nothing like competition to keep companies somewhat honest.

 

[marcusj0015]

Did anyone even read the technical parts of deal or did they just see the bold title and go "oh hell no". this merger would have done a huge benefit to end users and it would not have driven prices up. instead of 1 giant that overshadows AT&T, sprint, and tmobile, it would have been 2 giants overshadowing just sprint. Sprint would have gotten it stuck in the butt. But who cares, sprint has been aweful for years. But by no means would there have been a monopoly. as long as there are 2 or more companies making a product, they can't jack up prices.

Had they merged they intended to bring more 4g to AT&T, as well as far more coverage. and tmobile customers who were absorbed would have gotten a lot more coverage as well as a lot more options (like an official iphone for example). Merging two network technologies together would have been able to create a better network technology using the best from both.

So i don't know why everyone is hating so hard on the deal. I think it's a real shame it failed.

Imagine if the DoJ denied apple aquiring next, or anything of the other companies that made them what they are today. Instead of great products apple would have died and we'd have crap. But i guess people are more paranoid these days. If a company liked apple tried to buy a competing OS concept today they'd be denied because it discourages competition. As if. Only if EVERY competeitor was gone would it matter.

... Hmm, So Microsoft dosen't/didn't have a monoply on Computer OSs?

 

[marksman]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

I like that the us government thinks it can force DT to run Tmobile as is.

 

[NoExpectations]

Who really pays.....US Taxpayer. Thanks DOJ/FCC.

The US Taxpayer will pay for about $2 Billion of the $4 Billion fees due to the tax write off.

Way to go DOJ/FCC: Stop a US based company from buying wireless spectrum that is owned by a German company and now we, the US Taxpayer, must pay for much of the backout fee.

In then end, T-Moble wants and will eventually leave the US Market anyway.

 

[iMikeT]

The US Taxpayer will pay for about $2 Billion of the $4 Billion fees due to the tax write off.

I said the same thing about how we the taxpayer will make up the write-off and some guy said that I needed a lesson on how deductions work and got a -1 for it.

Just thought I'd let you know.

 

[NoExpectations]

I said the same thing about how we the taxpayer will make up the write-off and some guy said that I needed a lesson on how deductions work and got a -1 for it.

Just thought I'd let you know.

Some people speak before they know the facts. Even AT&T publicly acknowledged the tax write-off. Thanks.

 

[StuddedLeather]

Last I checked, I don't tell AT&T how to spend money on infrastructure or marketing or salaries. The problem was AT&T was trying to buy out a competitor, that's what got the ire of so many.

Now the irony is AT&T may end up with T-Mobile's customers and technology at some point in the future, however the circumstances will be different and there's always a possibility of others who will be interested in t-Mobile's assets if and when that time approaches.

Which is pretty much sad if you think about it. Eventually we'll be back at this same meeting in the future as if it's not inevitable. And "consumers" will just have to deal with it then.

T-Mobile is going under eventually so people should just start facing this fact.

 

[kjs862]

Nice, think this is great news!

 

[yeah]

I just hope that the iPhone FINALLY comes to T-Mobile. Can't wait (if it does happen)

I live in the USA

 

[0dev]

I just hope that the iPhone FINALLY comes to T-Mobile. Can't wait (if it does happen)

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/pay-monthly/apple-mobile-phones/

Oh, in the US? Sorry...

 

[Willis]

Not bad. The very low minutes would be a problem for me though. I get Unlimited Minutes, Texts and Data (no fair usage), plus an extra microsim for the iPad (again, no fair usage) for £10 /mo from T-Mobile, not fixed into a long term contract either. Been with them for about 5 years now...never had any problems and get the full 7.2mbps connection to my phone and iPad. Very happy

Is this a retention offer? Can't see anything relating to this on their site and any new contract taken out has a maximum of 1GB with fair usage with T-Mobile and 2GB with Orange.

 

[fred222]

Wait wait wait

So bc of the tax structure, taxpayers are footing the bill for billions of dollars of ATT's failed M&A activity?!

Hrmph.