T-Mobile and Sprint 'Close' to Finalizing Merger Deal, John Legere Said to Lead Combined Company

[belvdr]

So YOU’RE the one!
[doublepost=1506102392][/doublepost]
Don’t text while driving.

He's posting and driving.

Frankly neither service works for me. When I had a 4s with Sprint, they had unlimited data, but poor bandwidth. Anybody can give away unlimited data when you're restricted to kilobits per second. Maybe they are better, but I'm not risking it.

 

[cmwade77]

Umm, sorry to burst anyone's bubble, but this will never get past the regulators, as stated it is important to have four networks running in the U.S. for competition.

But if somehow this does get through, I hope that T-Mobile maintains their quality customer service and doesn't just let Sprint run the show, T-Mobile is by far the better carrier and I don't want to see them brought down by this deal.

 

[dampfnudel]

As a T-Mobile subscriber, I hope prices stay low, but I believe they will (T-Mobile doesn't want to push customers back to Verizon and AT&T). As for the additional spectrum/bandwidth, it should be beneficial at some point. I guess any changes/benefits for the majority of customers will be minimal for the first few years. Employees of these companies on the other hand...

 

[cmwade77]

I would rather not use a cellphone at all than go back to sprint. Have fun with their customer support & billing. The worst company I have dealt with in my life. Horrible. Just horrible. If this merger goes through... T-Mobile customers, I pity you.

As I said, if this goes through, I hope T-Mobile remains firmly in charge and gets rid of all of the Sprint customer service agents and replaces them with their own.

 

[Kabeyun]

Makes sense. Need to do something to compete against the AT&T/Verizon duopoly.

Will John Legere still wear magenta t-shirts after the merger??

Lol. Yeah the question actually is if he'll put on any yellow. There'll probably be some sort of pink/yellow hybrid thing going on for a bit. AT&T bought BellSouth/Cingular back in 2006 and had some orange in their logo until this year (look at the iOS app now: back to blue).

 

[Breaking Good]

They’ll probably kill off CDMA

This is what I think also and I think Apple would be quite happy to help them do it as it would help break Qualcomm's monopoly.

 

[cmwade77]

The combined newly merged entity's biggest challenge might actually be a conversion of Sprint's network to GSM, a costly and daunting undertaking, but one that would pay off long-term in increased efficiencies.

Actually Sprint already has been switching their networks to GSM, pretty much anything with 4G LTE is GSM, check your phone and you will most likely find a SIM Card in there. That's not to say all is GSM, but a good chunk of it is and they do some strange hybrid things. Overall it wouldn't be bad to get everything onto GSM from Sprint, then the only carrier that would still be using CDMA would be Verizon and it would essentially force them into upgrading their network to GSM as well.

 

[nutmac]

Currently driving from NY to Georgia as I type this. I haven’t lost LTE once on my T-Mobile iPhone 7.

 

[_Refurbished_]

I’m in the passenger seat haha.
[doublepost=1506109015][/doublepost]

So YOU’RE the one!
[doublepost=1506102392][/doublepost]
Don’t text while driving.

 

[cylack]

Won’t be good for consumers in the long run. Prices probably won’t go up initially, but eventually will. As in every other industry, the more competition there is the better off consumers are. Look at the airline industry and see how all the mergers have generally screwed consumers over.

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

Bad for business, good for T-Mobile customers. All of their towers and spectrum would be a great thing to have.

Yes, but I am concerned about prices and also all those employees that will be out of jobs now. This country is just going to keep mergering ourselves into employment issues.

I also worry that these things tend to be one way. It's not like they will be breaking up once combined. Or that any new phone companies will spring up setting up towers. So choice just keeps shrinking more and more over time. I don't think that is good.

I would rather not use a cellphone at all than go back to sprint. Have fun with their customer support & billing. The worst company I have dealt with in my life. Horrible. Just horrible. If this merger goes through... T-Mobile customers, I pity you.

I have recent experience with T-mobile customer service to know that it's no picnic either. In fact its horrible. I had two supervisors put me on hold and subsequently hang up on me. When I called back the first line employee grilled me as to why I wanted a supervisor. "Ah, because I had been talking to one already? Because I am the customer that pays your salary?" Don't freeking question me..jeez. Some people don't seem to understand where their paychecks ultimately come from. With the second supervisor I could even hear her talking to someone else. It took talking to six people and three calls (2 redials) that day to get things resolved. There are also constant billing issues. Just this morning my husband had to get them straightened out which they apologized for, but their billing system shouldn't be so messed up in the first place.

I hope that T-Mobile maintains their quality customer service

See above. If there is some quality customer service, could you kindly direct me to it because I can't seem to find it.

 

[Closingracer]

Yaaas gawd! I'm a happy Sprint customer but I'm always tempted by T-Mobile deals such as free netflix. Hope they bring some of that when they merg companies.

Free 480p Netflix? No thanks

 

[_Refurbished_]

Yes, but I am concerned about prices and also all those employees that will be out of jobs now. This country is just going to keep mergering ourselves into employment issues.

I also worry that these things tend to be one way. It's not like they will be breaking up once combined. Or that any new phone companies will spring up setting up towers. So choice just keeps shrinking more and more over time. I don't think that is good.



I have recent experience with T-mobile customer service to know that it's no picnic either. In fact its horrible. I had two supervisors put me on hold and subsequently hang up on me. When I called back the first line employee grilled me as to why I wanted a supervisor. "Ah, because I had been talking to one already? Because I am the customer that pays your salary?" Don't freeking question me..jeez. Some people don't seem to understand where their paychecks ultimately come from. With the second supervisor I could even hear her talking to someone else. It took talking to six people and three calls (2 redials) that day to get things resolved. There are also constant billing issues. Just this morning my husband had to get them straightened out which they apologized for, but their billing system shouldn't be so messed up in the first place.



See above. If there is some quality customer service, could you kindly direct me to it because I can't seem to find it.

With Verizon and Att looming, prices shouldn’t be impacted much. I do agree, however, that it is good to have a company like Sprint undercutting everyone and offering an inferior product, but as a T-Mobile customer I would take the trade. It boosts Tmobile’s assets.

More customers require more stores and more employees. Not sure why you think this would cause a drastic reduction in jobs.

Also, T-Mobile phone customer service IS terrible. Not sure what country the reps reside in, but the only good customer service is when I reach one of the domestic call centers. Those people are MUCH more helpful. I have hopes Legere will fix this with an Uncarrier move. I spoke to a rep a few months ago in charge of localized customer support for his call center. Not sure if it will ever take off, but he seemed confident they were transitioning to domestic, localalized support this year.

Being a previous customer of all four wireless carriers, I can tell you that ATT and Verizon are no better for customer service and billing errors. They are ALL terrible. Changing wireless companies to get better customer service is like trying to choose which type of cold you want. Do you want a runny nose? A fever? A sore throat? They all suck.
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Free 480p Netflix? No thanks

It’s a free Netflix subscription.

The only time it’s 480p is when you’re on your phone streaming, otherwise it’s HD.

 

[democracyrules]

I drove from Ohio to NC and the Appalachia was a dead zone. They have said they have plans to remedy that but it’s a long term plan.

Well said.
[doublepost=1506172022][/doublepost]

How is T Mobile for you? I had them for my iPad and couldn't get a signal indoors in DC area.

T-Mobile is famous for not having signals inside buildings which is very frustrating and also the main reason I abandon T-Mobile for Verizon.
[doublepost=1506172151][/doublepost]

He only does that stuff as an act. He said so in a recent Fast Company article. He's really a suit-wearing business man just like the rest.
[doublepost=1506088533][/doublepost]

AHahahahahahahahaahahahah! Those things are never going to happen. Legere has said he's looking to make the transition back to his more traditional roots of business. T-Mobile isn't profitable enough at this point.

They're currently bleeding money with promotions in order to gain customers but are making far less per customer than other providers. That can't continue forever. They'll be raising their prices once they get a good customer base.

Excellent points and you are correct. Your explanation makes sense and very reasonable on T-Mobile business point of view.

 

[iMi]

In any case, this is being fixed with their 600hz spectrum.

Which sadly isn't supported by any iPhones from what I'm hearing.

 

[goaliemn]

Which sadly isn't supported by any iPhones from what I'm hearing.

Considering it was just purchased, it would've been tough to incorporate into any phones yet.

 

[iMi]

Considering it was just purchased, it would've been tough to incorporate into any phones yet.

I understand. I'm not blaming Apple. Just saying that when the time is right, say next year or so, one would have to hold out for another headset to really take advantage and alleviate coverage issues.

Just stinks that the timing is the way it is...

 

[_Refurbished_]

Which sadly isn't supported by any iPhones from what I'm hearing.

You heard correctly

I’m not too sad, I change phones every few years. Won’t notice much of a difference anyway, as I have great service in my locations.

 

[Rum_Becker]

As things are now, if Sprint were to disappear in a few years due to their weak market position and fierce competitive pressures, currently mostly from T-Mobile, depending on who of the remaining three main players would be able to scoop up their spectrum, this could potentially leave T-Mob in an even weaker position due to their already very slim margins, with virtually no cash left for network improvements, and for tackling the two remaining behemoths. And that could spell their demise not long after, leaving us with the gloomy prospect of two titans lapping up the crumbs, and very little incentive to change the comfortable status quo.

My thoughts exactly, Even if prices do increase marginally (which I don't think is a given), it is better choice than Sprint and T-mobile going under. Another thing to consider is that if the big three are all GSM based, switching to a new company will only require a new SIM, as it is now moving phones between providers is difficult besides switching from T-mobile to ATT and vise versa. This ease of switching should enable good retention plans, so I think the case for a strong big three may lead to lower rates.

Actually Sprint already has been switching their networks to GSM, pretty much anything with 4G LTE is GSM, check your phone and you will most likely find a SIM Card in there. That's not to say all is GSM, but a good chunk of it is and they do some strange hybrid things. Overall it wouldn't be bad to get everything onto GSM from Sprint, then the only carrier that would still be using CDMA would be Verizon and it would essentially force them into upgrading their network to GSM as well.

From what I have read, Sprint's Data is GSM and the voice part in CDMA with no plans to change voice from CDMA. As for verizon, I have heard that they will be killing off CDMA in the near future. In Canada we have had two of our big companies switch from CDMA to GSM, the hardest part is to get those final few customers make the final switch, but those customers normally have cheap flip phones. I think most current Smartphones offered by Sprint can do CDMA and GSM, Changing those customers over would only require a new sim card. For the customers holding out to the end, I'm sure they could be offered a cheap flip phone for very little cost.