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SoftBank, Deutsche Telekom Discussing T-Mobile Buyout

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I hope it happens.

Jsamp

Jan 19, 2014, 9:39 PM
There seems to be a lot of hate for Sprint but they are going to be a HUGE threat to ATT and Verizon soon after the LTE is rolled out and they are one of the only carriers offering unlimited data. I live in an area the 4G rollout is almost complete. I don't have to fear going over my data like I've seen with the other 2. I wont be switching carriers anytime soon. In fact I will be upgrading with Sprint very soon. There also isnt Tmobile here. I will say I dont want Sprint and Tmobile to merge but rather act as the 2 separate companies that work together. Using Sprints towers Tmobile would be huge overnight as well as offering Sprint customers access to Tmobiles LTE network in areas they havent deployed LTE. I've wanted to see Tmobile here fo...
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Globhead

Jan 20, 2014, 4:36 AM
I don't care if they are a threat to ATT/VZN. I want to keep my less-awful carrier from getting worse. It won't help me any to reduce ATT's balance if I have an evil phone bundling/hacking/subsidizing carrier too.
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phonetekmek

Jan 25, 2014, 6:28 PM
And what carrier is that? I've been a district manager for both T-mobile and Sprint and if you think TM is so much better than Sprint you are surely mistaken!
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 8:47 AM
Hope in one hand and C R A P in the other, see which one fills up faster?
What people fail to understand is that running a large company with lots of customers costs lots of money! Prices will absolutely go up if Sprint purchases T-Mobile and along with that they will have tons of growing pains. First it will start with the transformation of the network (hows that going for sprint now?) and then onto billing where combining billing systems will drive up issues and clog their care lines.

The reason that Verizon and AT&T cost a little more than the others is because they have superior networks which takes more of investment to maintain. Sprint and T-Mobile can compete with pricing wars now but when their network is exhausted and they nee...
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Jsamp

Jan 20, 2014, 11:07 AM
I've been following Sprint news long before the Softbank buyout. Softbank has deep pockets and is probably the best thing to happen to Sprint. A lot of Sprint haters don't see the positive of their network vision. Are they behind? Absolutely. When they are done they will have the best LTE network. With the closing of the iden network they now have the 800mHz frequency available. They also have 1900 and 2500mHz frequencies. Sprint holds more spectrum than Att and Verizon combined. 800mhz range will vastly improve building penetration as well as overall distance. 2500 can carry larger data chunks. With their spark technology they will be able to utilize all those frequencies at the same time offering ridiculously insane speeds.
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 11:15 AM
The problem with Sprint is that they are FAR behind and even where they have launched LTE they can't compete with the other 3! Just check rootmetrics.com and you'll see they have a TON of work to do to even compete! And having deep pockets is good but they will want to fill those pockets after they deplete them. Offering unlimited data with zero or low deposits will make it very hard for them to show profits to their board.
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DarkStar

Jan 20, 2014, 4:09 PM
The problem is that they are so far behind AT&T and VZW that by the time they come close those 2 will be on LTE-A. VZW already said they are going to start doing VO-LTE this year. Has Sprint even talked about that at all?
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 4:33 PM
To me, VoLTE isn't all that exciting.
I care more about data. And besides, so few phones on the market are VoLTE compatible.
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 5:35 PM
VoLTE will give you some pretty cool features such as HD voice but the big store is when companies move to LTE A and are getting 100 down!
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 5:38 PM
I heard in Dallas where T-Mobile already has 20x20 Wideband LTE deployed, someone pulled down 70-110mbps!!! And that was on an S4, which is a Class 3 LTE device, still not LTE-A.
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 5:44 PM
I don't know about that but where I live (north of Columbus, Ohio) I get 30-40 down and 10-15 up on average!
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 5:46 PM
On Tmo?
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 5:49 PM
Nope, Big Blue! Been with them since 2010 and been extremely happy! I had Verizon for 10 years before this and was also happy but it didn't work as well in a couple spots where I travel often (alta, utah for 1).
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 5:53 PM
Oh, and my house for 2! Ha

We built our home in 2008 and at the time my wife was using AT&T and I was on Verizon. While moving things into the basement I saw her sitting down on a box talking to her friend. I was upset that she wasn't helping and didn't even notice that she was able to use her phone in the basement where as mine had X with no bars! That was the beginning of the end for me and Verizon.
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 5:53 PM
You get by ok with the measly 2-3GB/mo data allotment?
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DarkStar

Jan 20, 2014, 5:55 PM
Why would anybody use more than that?
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 6:02 PM
It's called USING Your smartphone. People pay for things, they should be able to actually USE something they pay for!!! 2-3GB/mo is useLESS!!!

And no, wifi isn't everywhere as ATT & Vzn have you brainwashed to say! It happens to be secured in many, many places, besides, wifi is against the very nature of a smartphone, which is MOBILE.

I can tell your more of a mouth piece for a CEO, than you are tech enthusiasts/consumer.
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 6:10 PM
Actually wi-fi is becoming available in more areas and companies will be using it and small cell technology to alleviate stress on their network. Just take a stroll through times square and you'll be on AT&T's wi-fi!

The major issue going forward will be making networks fast and reliable along with making them able to handle the load a 100 million + customers give it!

I highly doubt that either Sprint or T-Mobile will be able to offer unlimited data "If" their customer base was to surpass 100 million customers. They would need to supplement it with wi-fi, small cell and then place data limits. Its not that they want to but its just the nature of the beast because its not like they can just order more spectrum once theirs is used up! T...
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 6:17 PM
Well,...I've read that LTE-A & carrier aggregation can handle tons, and tons of data.
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 6:24 PM
Yes but you need to have the spectrum available to do this!
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 6:28 PM
New spectrum is required to deploy new technologies? Why not just upgrade the network with the current spectrum to new technology, LTE-A/Carrier aggregation.

Same thing with Tmo's EDGE network, they claim they need new spectrum to cover rural areas, why not just upgrade the existing spectrum, EDGE to the newer LTE tech.
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 6:37 PM
New spectrum is not needed to deploy the new technologies however they need the spectrum to use these technologies and unless they find a way to split spectrum or use it more effectively then we will always need more!

That's why I said you will see small cell technology and more wi-fi hotspots because they broadcast data over different channels and won't saturate the network in those areas (OSU football games for 1 example). Here's a cool article on Cnet, you probably already know how spectrum works but its for others to see so they can understand that the airwaves aren't free and also not readily available when more is needed!
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57488618-94/wireles ... »
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 6:40 PM
When more is needed? That's what COWs are for (Cells On Wheels).

But wireless providers really shouldhave more antennas at sporting events.
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Gadget Junky

Jan 20, 2014, 7:57 PM
Sprint is sitting on 4 times more spectrum as Verizon, and twice as much as Verizon and ATT combined.

TMO has 3 time more than Verizon...

Really, stop listening to the crap they feed you in those stores.
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DarkStar

Jan 21, 2014, 2:58 PM
But then why does their networks suck compared to Verizon and AT&T
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DarkStar

Jan 20, 2014, 6:20 PM
Most people don't go over that. I sell hundred of phones a month and it's pretty rare that someone uses more than that. What can you possible do to use more than that?
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 6:22 PM
First of all, I'm not $rich$ enough to pay for internet twice, mobile & home, so my smartphone is my only internet, secondly, my job is a security guard, extremely, extremely boring job, so my smartphone is sort of my companion, helps me pass the time.
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 6:28 PM
I'm certainly not rich, by no means, but I do believe in paying for quality. I've never used more than 5GB in a month on network so when I switched from my unlimited plan to one that had more features (mobile hotspot) I was able to do more which to me was a better value.
I understand that you have a lot of free time on your hands but your job is unlike many others who don't have the time to play on their phones. I use my devices for productivity and being able to tether devices to my hotspot when needs be without SLOW data speeds is a big advantage for me and my clients.
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 6:37 PM
Yep! Tons, and tons down, boring time! I even make sure my charger is in my pocket when I leave for work!
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 6:39 PM
Hopefully you are working towards getting a new job so you won't be so bored? I work in sales so downtime to me is the couple minutes between clients when I get to listen to Howard Stern and Sports talk radio!
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DarkStar

Jan 20, 2014, 6:41 PM
So basically instead of guarding things you play on your phone all day? I hope your bosses don't see you.
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 6:48 PM
Right now I'm posted at an office building, sitting at a desk, saying good night to people as they leave for the night, another words, doing nothing! So yes, my smartphone is snug in my hands, being used heavily! Tomorrow, I'm working at an office building that's under construction, there isn't much to my job.

Be here, and awake.
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DarkStar

Jan 20, 2014, 7:09 PM
And be alert but you can't be alert if you are watching tv.
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 7:11 PM
This perticular post, I don't wach any video. But where I'm working tomorrow, I will be scouring YouTube. . .construction sites, super, super boring, only thing of concern is they want me to check the data room hourly to make sure the temp doesn't exceed 80.
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DarkStar

Jan 20, 2014, 7:20 PM
ah I'm just giving you a hard time. I would probably do the same thing as you. And actually I do use tons of data on my AT&T line. Last month I used 86GB. But I get super fast speeds. But seriously most of the customers I have use less than 2GB.
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 7:26 PM
You should have seen the look on my face when I read "86gb's last month". I had a Clear USB dongle way back in like 2009, and I used it to watch a lot of Hulu at the time, I usually used around 30-35gb/mo.
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DarkStar

Jan 20, 2014, 8:17 PM
Lol you should have seen my face when I saw that. And AT&T hasn't even slowed me down. But I download movies and tv shows, tether a bunch, download big files and stuff.
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 8:24 PM
I'm surprised they haven't slowed you down! Is this a monthly thing? Hey, good for you.

With T-Mobile deploying Wideband 20x20 LTE, and when I get the *S5* I'm kinda tempted to learn how to root it, for unlimited wifi tethering. I've never rooted a smartphone before! Gonna have to get all educated on it.
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DarkStar

Jan 20, 2014, 8:46 PM
The month before that was 30 gb and the month before that was 25gb.

Careful with T-mobile they know when you are tethering and will take you to a page to have you purchase a tethering package. No other company does that. But there are ways around that but it does affect your speed. Need VPN.
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 8:47 PM
Really? They know when your tethering? That's evil!
Even if your rooted?
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nicolasl46

Jan 20, 2014, 8:50 PM
Yes they do know. Damn you guys use a lot of data. The most I've ever used was 7GB when I had my 6.5GB plan with tethering.
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 8:51 PM
I can't believe 6.5-7gb's is considered a "lot"!

I thought 80-90+ was a lot, not 10-20. . .
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DarkStar

Jan 20, 2014, 9:04 PM
most people use their phones for apps. Facebook and stuff. Maybe some web surfing. Not really for watching videos and stuff unless they are at home. They don't have time to sit in the park watching netflix. They have work and families and stuff.
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 9:30 PM
Well, unfortunately I don't.
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nicolasl46

Jan 21, 2014, 11:08 AM
Thats just it, I only use my phone for pandora and youtube (facebook, i took out the app because its asking for way too many permissions) 10GB I think is a lot of data for a smarthphone, but thats just me. My home insternet I use over 300GB every month (I'm waiting for that Time Warner letter LOL) I really have no time to use my phone during the day, aside from pandora (which only uses about 1.5GB)
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hepresearch

Jan 21, 2014, 11:59 AM
I used less than 1GB in an average month back in the day, and that was while tethering a home PC through my Nokia 9300 on T-Mobile at EDGE speeds. Of course, that was back when $19.99 got you unlimited data plus tethering... and then while employed by T-Mobile I got all of that for $9.99, through my HTC Dash.

The last time I had data on AT&T I still used less than 1GB per month. I'm just not a data hog when I have access to a home computer with its own internet connection. Now, when they start capping data for cable internet, that will be the day I get a little miffed about data rationing.

If I get back to owning a smartphone, I'm likely to be able to squeeze into 1GB a month with the help of WiFi access.
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 5:58 PM
Absolutely! My office has wi-fi everywhere and so do a lot of my clients. I use about 2.5GB per month on network with my phone and about 1.5 with my iPad. I just switched to their new value plan (not in contract) and it was able to save me $45 per month with my phone, wife's and son's.

Also, I just replaced my Brinks home security with Digital Life and I am very impressed! I can control everything in the house and love the fact that I have 3 camera's monitoring my home while i'm away. Just with UVerse was in my area because I would love to drop Direct TV.
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KOL4420

Jan 21, 2014, 11:30 AM
Yes, they have and have already launched HD Voice on compatible devices in 4G LTE coverage areas along with their new technology called Sprint Spark.

"Sprint Spark, Sprint's new super high-speed capability, can deliver 50-60 Megabits per second peak speeds today. But given our spectrum and technology assets, it is technically feasible over time to deliver more than 2 Gigabits per second per sector of over-the-air speed

This high speed wireless means capacity to greatly improve the performance of video and other bandwidth-intensive applications, and support for a new generation of online gaming, virtual reality and advanced cloud services."
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DarkStar

Jan 21, 2014, 2:57 PM
Yet it is still in only 5 cities. By the time the reach half of their network Verizon and AT&T will have moved on to bigger and better things. And once VO-LTE is done Verizon can refarm their CDMA and EVDO capacity to LTE.
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 4:30 PM
What does 'BAU" stand for?
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B-Sides

Jan 20, 2014, 5:36 PM
Business As Usual
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Jayshmay

Jan 20, 2014, 5:38 PM
Ohhh.
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andrewbearpig

Jan 20, 2014, 6:59 PM
That is certainly a interesting point about the unlimited data. I put my vote that data won't be unlimited without some catch either being done away with, higher cost to keep it, or having to pay for a higher limit which in my opinion is a rip off compared to tired data plans.
With a huge subscribe base if the merger goes through. I wonder what they will do for data plans.
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