AT&T To Acquire T-Mobile From Deutsche Telekom 748
teh31337one writes "AT&T and Deutsche Telekom have entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of T-Mobile USA for $39 billion in cash and stocks. Press release here." Gripes one anonymous reader: "Americans will have even less choice now when it comes to cell phone carriers. Say good-bye to the one that had the best customer service and was most friendly towards Android and rooting."
Re:Monopoly (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Deal still subject to regulatory approval (Score:5, Informative)
However, the deal is still a year away and subject to regulatory approval.
However, the deal is still a year away and subject to regulatory lobbying and bribery.
Re:Deal still subject to regulatory approval (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Deal still subject to regulatory approval (Score:5, Informative)
The only reason I chose T-Mobile was because it wasn't AT&T.
Remember: ATT Illegally Tapped Our Phones (Score:4, Informative)
GSM is only great when you can buy an unlocked phone, choose a provider and pop in a SIM, then change on a whim while paying lower monthly prices due to the lack of a subsidy.
T-Mobile will give you the code to unlock your phone on request for customers of 3 months or more (I believe).
ATT will not.
I don't want anyone to forget their illegal warrantless wiretapping [wired.com] and the massive lobbying effort get themselves retroactive immunity [gizmodo.com] for their cooperation over the illegal spying [eff.org] on you.
Actually, this isn't all bad (Score:5, Informative)
Besides, T-Mobile has generally been a niche player in the US market in comparison to the number of customers on any other network.
Re:New round of AT&T / T-Mobile commercials (Score:5, Informative)
Having been customers of both services, I can tell you that both AT&T and T-Mobile will be on the top, and their customers will be on the bottom.
Re:Not gonna lie (Score:4, Informative)
ATT recently bought (well a few years ago) centennial wireless. Everything was great until the last few months (for me the last 3 weeks). I'm not sure what they are doing, but areas where I used to get 5 bars (that were not att areas but centennial wireless areas) I now get 2 or 3 bars. Calls are being dropped in areas where I used to have the best service. Everyone I know who used to use centennial wireless is having the same problems. No signal, droppped calls, etc.
I've been a long time ATT customer, but I'm thinking it's time for a change if this doesn't' improve in the next 5 months.
Re:Obligatory predictions. (Score:2, Informative)
T-Mobile annually won awards for their incredible customer service.
Means nothing. In most markets, Verizon kicks their asses in every regard including customer service according to Consumer Reports..
With all due respect, Consumer Reports have their heads up their asses on this one. Verizon was consistently the most unpleasant, unhelpful, and usually overtly hostile customer service experiences of my life. T-mobile gives me fast contact with an agent followed by actual assistance. Not once have I felt like "the enemy" when calling them, but every single call to Verizon wireless just ruined my day.
I have no comment on Sprint except to say if you defend Verizon Wireless then I should check out Sprint.
Re:Actually, this isn't all bad (Score:2, Informative)
T-Mobile had stellar International coverage/roaming policies, AT&T doesn't.
T-Mobile was very friendly to unlocking phones (they actually unlocked several of our blackberries for my family for free), AT&T doesn't (I know from experience).
T-Mobile had UMA (which allows me to do calls-over-wifi so when I'm in another country and get charged as if I'm in the US), AT&T doesn't
T-Mobile had stellar selection of "flagship" android phones, AT&T has an iphone.
T-Mobile regularly was ranked #1 in customer service, AT&T wasn't.
T-Mobile has, by far, the most "bang for your buck" when you don't need a super-gold-awesome-platinum-overpriced plan, AT&T plans cost a lot more.
This sucks for consumers
This sucks for innovation
This sucks for GSM
This sucks for me.
Re:Deal still subject to regulatory approval (Score:4, Informative)
I am in the same boat as you are. I was an AT&T customer for 6.5 years and then switched to Tmobile after a huge F'up by AT&T (should've taken them to the courts). If this deal goes through, I am going to Verizon. No way in hell will I ever be an AT&T customer.
TLDR version: Fuck AT&T
Re:No it isn't (Score:5, Informative)
I know you're being sarcastic, but the wireless spectrum in the US has never been competitive, and the telephone network even less so.
If anything, the US is structured more like a merchantilist [wikipedia.org] society.
Re:Deal still subject to regulatory approval (Score:4, Informative)
People who follow cell phone plans closely (crazy as they are) usually get excited about changes in privacy policies, etc, as it gives a window to change carriers without suffering Early Termination Fees. However, merging itself might not be enough, as the hybrid carrier is likely to continue to maintain both sets of contracts for existing customers.
Re:Don't worry Citizens! (Score:2, Informative)
The free market will save us!
Any minute now...
The free market has proved itself repeatedly to be phenomenally bad at providing necessary infrastructure, because the best way to deliver infrastructure is via monopoly (scale efficiencies, 100% compatibility, only digging up the road once).
Have the government run all the cell towers, and all the last-mile phone/internet delivery hardware. Lease out access to whatever private enterprises want to offer phone and broadband services. Then you will have real competition in areas that matter - customer service, bonus features, subsidized handsets, free content, low rates.
Re:AT&T should be broken up (again) (Score:4, Informative)
Here is "MichaelKristopeit421's" recent reply to a comment of mine:
Coincidence or technique? Real or agent provocateur?
I think he's sloppy and his outing will cause him problems with the home office. Too bad because he clearly enjoys his work. What do you think, minimum wage or what?
Re:Not gonna lie (Score:4, Informative)