Is AT&T threatened by T-Mobile?

[Col Ronson]

But they don't target their biggest competitor, which is Verizon. They single out AT&T. Sprint should be next, but they ignore them too, which I can understand, but definitely not Verizon.

They single out ATT because ATT customers switching to Tmobile is the easiest. ATT customers have GSM phones they can easily bring to Tmobile. For Verizon customers, its a lot more difficult.

Plus part of it is a jab at ATT for the failed acquisition.

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If Tmobile acquires the 700Mhz A block, then all these building penetration issues will slowly disappear.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

Well they sure didn't think that way two years ago when they wanted to get in bed with AT&T, did they?

"They" got a new CEO in 2012. So uh. The whole "they" argument is moot. New guy is aggressive and willing to shake things up. Hence their boom in business over the last year.

Also, if you'll notice, Verizon didn't respond to T-Mo. So T-Mo didn't aim at Verizon specifically. AT&T is obviously shaken, Verizon isn't yet. Which might be a problem for them, actually.

 

[2298754]

Also, if you'll notice, Verizon didn't respond to T-Mo. So T-Mo didn't aim at Verizon specifically. AT&T is obviously shaken, Verizon isn't yet. Which might be a problem for them, actually.

I can't wait for VZW to start targeting T-Mobile. Their job would be too easy.

Just show a couple of those coverage maps and bring back the "can you hear me now" commercials and use a Legere look-alike

 

[SomeGuyDude]

I can't wait for VZW to start targeting T-Mobile. Their job would be too easy.

Just show a couple of those coverage maps and bring back the "can you hear me now" commercials and use a Legere look-alike

The problem there is that's fighting T-Mo in an arena they're not aiming for.

T-Mobile's marketing plan is not "we have a solid coast to coast map". Theirs is "where we have coverage, we cost a lot less and give you a lot more". VZW could put those maps up all they want, all that would do is appeal to people who live in the plains or the sticks where T-Mo's coverage fails, it wouldn't do anything to convince the people who are where T-Mo has solid coverage.

That's what's going to decide this battle. Quite literally ALL that AT&T and Verizon have over T-Mo at the moment is that they're in more markets. But that won't be the case forever.

 

[2298754]

The problem there is that's fighting T-Mo in an arena they're not aiming for.

T-Mobile's marketing plan is not "we have a solid coast to coast map". Theirs is "where we have coverage, we cost a lot less and give you a lot more". .

I'm not so sure about this. T-Mobile claims to have a nationwide 4G network. They preach this like the bible.

Even AT&T and VZW don't have the audacity to say something like that.

 

[CEmajr]

"They" got a new CEO in 2012. So uh. The whole "they" argument is moot. New guy is aggressive and willing to shake things up. Hence their boom in business over the last year.

Also, if you'll notice, Verizon didn't respond to T-Mo. So T-Mo didn't aim at Verizon specifically. AT&T is obviously shaken, Verizon isn't yet. Which might be a problem for them, actually.

Verizon isn't quite as threatened as AT&T. They know their network is good enough to keep people from jumping ship for the most part despite the price. They still had pretty solid growth last year. AT&T on the other hand, didn't do too well in subscriber growth last year and churn to T-Mobile has increased from where it was pre-Uncarrier plans.

I don't think we will see Verizon begin to directly attack T-Mobile unless their subscriber gains begin to slow like AT&T's did. Also T-Mobile tends to attack Verizon much less than AT&T, if at all. They pretty much ignore Sprint but still have managed to steal more of Sprint's customers than any other carrier for obvious reasons.

I really can't wait to see the Q4 numbers from the carriers. It's going to be interesting to see if T-Mobile's free 200MB iPad data plans were enough to slow AT&T's tablet subscriber growth (the only thing keeping them from posting a net subscriber loss in Q3).

Either way, it's good for all of us that AT&T is threatened. Maybe they will bring back some reasonable data plans.

 

[MattMJB0188]

I'm not so sure about this. T-Mobile claims to have a nationwide 4G network. They preach this like the bible.

Even AT&T and VZW don't have the audacity to say something like that.

Nationwide '4G' means lots of EDGE and GPRS. At least in my area.

 

[2298754]

Nationwide '4G' means lots of EDGE and GPRS. At least in my area.

Same thing in the Northeast. It's all a bunch of BS

 

[TheIntruder]

Competition is good.

But the YMMV nature of cell service and radio reception can't be ignored, so it's hard to draw conclusions based on anecdotal experience; people will use whatever is best for them.

I compared AT&T vs. TMO in my area with an unlocked phone, and found that, even in one of TMO's upgraded, refarmed areas, AT&T's coverage was more consistent, even if the indicated signal strength wasn't as strong. I didn't hit any dead spots with AT&T in the areas I frequent most.

One strong deciding factor was that I didn't get any TMO coverage inside the local mall.

 

[mattwallace24]

When you wonder why TMO picks on AT&T, don't forget that Legere is an ex-AT&T executive and probably has a chip on his shoulder.

And don't let his new, rebellious look and persona fool you - he was always known as a straight-laced, suit wearing, polished executive. Brilliant marketing move by TMO to successfully change his image and rebrand him as the new "un-carrier" rebel to the public unfamiliar with his past.

 

[goobot]

The majority of the United States lives in urban areas, and thus in range of Tmobile's HSPA+/LTE networks.

While AT&T might have "4G" in the middle of nowhere, it is no secret their HSPA+ is pathetically slow when you compare it to Tmobile's HSPA+.

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To answer your question, yes AT&T is threatened by Tmobile. It is the only reason they implemented cheaper pricing for people bringing their own phones. Its a page out of the Tmobile playbook. So was AT&T Next. VZW however is not threatened, at least by their CEO's comments. They won't compete on pricing, they will just use their quality network to speak for themselves i guess.

That speed test all comes down to location, i get over 10MBs when on HSPA+ and t-mobile gets like 2. When on LTE i get like 40MBs. IDK what T-mobile gets tho around me. I don't think they have LTE any where near me.

 

[bushman4]

AT&T just taking a competitive stand with T-mobile. Extra Revenue always good, especially in a quarter that really doesn't have any major product releases which benefit AT&T.

 

[ross1998]

Atnt is threatened because of how easy it is for atnt customer to bring in their device and use on tmobile. Now that rumors are tmobile will start paying eft's that worries atnt even more so they had to do something and that's why they are offering 450 now for switching.

I think tmobile will be a worthy competitor if they get LTE on every highway in the USA. This will make 98% of the population satisfied also some low frequency spectrum wouldn't hurt.

 

[osofast240sx]

Why the new mobile share plans for no contract customers? AT&T only wants $25 for each smartphone that isn't under contract for its mobile share plans now. I have seen them advertise more no annual contract options in recent months than they ever have. Are they loosing that many customers to T-Mobile?

Anyway, has anyone given up their smartphone unlimited data plan for the mobile share plans? I pay $150/mo for an unlimited data, 3GB data, and unlimited messaging with my discount. Thinking of going on AT&T new 10GB Mobile share plan. I'd get more data and hotspot.

Just wondering if anyone has sacrificed their unlimited data plan for these new plans. The $30 unlimited data plan will never decrease after a subsidy is paid off.

He'll yes now that T-Mobile has 700 MHz its game on att

 

[Apple Trees]

Sprint is probably more threatened by them than anyone. That seems to be the source of most of T-Mobile's customer gain. It's hitting AT&T as well most likely because of how easy it is for AT&T customers to move over to T-Mobile with their same phones.

Verizon on the other hand is mostly unfazed by T-Mobile right now. Their subscriber growth was still pretty good these past few quarters and the network is so strong that most customers will stay. I know I'll be staying put as well. I have no complaints.

 

[jamezr]

Sprint is probably more threatened by them than anyone. That seems to be the source of most of T-Mobile's customer gain. It's hitting AT&T as well most likely because of how easy it is for AT&T customers to move over to T-Mobile with their same phones.

Verizon on the other hand is mostly unfazed by T-Mobile right now. Their subscriber growth was still pretty good these past few quarters and the network is so strong that most customers will stay. I know I'll be staying put as well. I have no complaints.

AT&T is threatened by T-Mobile. All of their pricing plan changes have been to combat T-Mobile. They are even PAYING people to leave T-Mobile......looks like they feel threatened to me...

http://www.mobileburn.com/22391/news/att-offers-t-mobile-customers-450-per-line-to-switch-networks

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/analysts-sprintt-mobile-deal-would-face-uphill-battle-regulators/2013-12-17

 

[blarivee]

I don't think so, because its those initiatives that are driving consumers into T-Mo's arms. Why kill a cash cow, and that's also why I think AT&T is changing is business model a bit and will move away from subsidized phones as well.

There's an opinion piece out on how a merger with Sprint might kill T-Mobile's strategy, like how Sprint killed Virgin Mobile's strategy after acquisition. Now with Softbank in charge maybe things may turn out different. Only time will tell.

https://www.npdgroupblog.com/breaking-up-the-family-the-t-mobile-way/#.Us9_en-9KK0

 

[Apple Trees]

Well it looks like the OP was right. AT&T was threatened enough to introduce new plans targeted at T-mobile customers.