A number of people on Slashdot were complaining that Sprint and T-Mobile merging would mean less completion.
Note that AT&T never companied about T-Mobile spectrum holdings before the merger.
In the first of many discoveries to come, we see just one way in which T-Mobile and Sprint companied are ACTUAL competition to AT&T and Verizon. Alone they were no real threat.
Now T-Mobile can actually force change in AT&T and Verizon because there will finally be competition in the cellular carrier space.
One of the first things T-Mobile did after assimilating Sprint was ending Sprint's least-expensive plan offering. Sprint had a $35/mo unlimited everything plan, and it was even $10/mo cheaper if you signed up through Best Buy. An old Slickdeals thread [slickdeals.net] now stands in silent tribute to the days when there was still actual competition in the wireless industry.
Yet, somehow, AT&T bellyaching about T-Mobile's spectrum is supposed to be a net win for consumers, rather than more affordable service? I mean shit, that's like saying it's great that your local McDonald's went under, because now more people can enjoy eating at the super expensive sushi restaurant across the street. How deluded to you have to be to assume that's the way the world actually works?
Yet, somehow, AT&T bellyaching about T-Mobile's spectrum is supposed to be a net win for consumers, rather than more affordable service?
On one hand, it seems like a good idea that only the company willing to pay the most should get the spectrum. It seems how ever that cost is probably just past onto the consumer. On the other hand I'd like to see wireless spectrum leased at a monthly rate with hidden taxes and fees.
Yeah, competition doesn't always completely help consumers. In this case it appears that we are heading towards a triopoly. There will be some internal competition which should help but they still shut out real regional competition. National carriers have no real incentive to offer ultra cheap plans. It wouldn't surprise me though if local carriers start popping up and servicing people who only need local coverage.
At last, AT&T & Verizon have real competit (Score:2)
A number of people on Slashdot were complaining that Sprint and T-Mobile merging would mean less completion.
Note that AT&T never companied about T-Mobile spectrum holdings before the merger.
In the first of many discoveries to come, we see just one way in which T-Mobile and Sprint companied are ACTUAL competition to AT&T and Verizon. Alone they were no real threat.
Now T-Mobile can actually force change in AT&T and Verizon because there will finally be competition in the cellular carrier space.
Re:At last, AT&T & Verizon have real compe (Score:4, Insightful)
One of the first things T-Mobile did after assimilating Sprint was ending Sprint's least-expensive plan offering. Sprint had a $35/mo unlimited everything plan, and it was even $10/mo cheaper if you signed up through Best Buy. An old Slickdeals thread [slickdeals.net] now stands in silent tribute to the days when there was still actual competition in the wireless industry.
Yet, somehow, AT&T bellyaching about T-Mobile's spectrum is supposed to be a net win for consumers, rather than more affordable service? I mean shit, that's like saying it's great that your local McDonald's went under, because now more people can enjoy eating at the super expensive sushi restaurant across the street. How deluded to you have to be to assume that's the way the world actually works?
Re: (Score:0)
Yet, somehow, AT&T bellyaching about T-Mobile's spectrum is supposed to be a net win for consumers, rather than more affordable service?
On one hand, it seems like a good idea that only the company willing to pay the most should get the spectrum. It seems how ever that cost is probably just past onto the consumer.
On the other hand I'd like to see wireless spectrum leased at a monthly rate with hidden taxes and fees.
Re: (Score:0)
Yeah, competition doesn't always completely help consumers. In this case it appears that we are heading towards a triopoly. There will be some internal competition which should help but they still shut out real regional competition. National carriers have no real incentive to offer ultra cheap plans. It wouldn't surprise me though if local carriers start popping up and servicing people who only need local coverage.
Re: (Score:2)
so the deal you are talking about has this: "Data deprioritization during congestion". While it may be unlimited, you get what you pay for.