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AT&T To Acquire T-Mobile USA

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I think I'm the only one for this...

mycool

Mar 21, 2011, 3:42 PM
As long as the DOJ attaches stipulations to the purchase/merger to set ourselves up in the future, we're all set.

Primarily, if they attach a regulation that states AT&T must wholesale it's entire network at a regulated price to MVNOs, then we won't have to worry about it becoming too large.

In fact, large carriers should slowly become wholesale networks and let multiple MVNOs compete for our services.
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Slammer

Mar 21, 2011, 4:03 PM
At first, this sounded practical.

I think the problem is that we would not be accessing a choice of networks. We essentially would be dealing with a third party of the same carrier(s).

In the auto industry, we have many choices of autos to choose from. It is different in this industry. If I'm understanding what your saying, we still would be bargaining with only three major networks in the end. I could perceive MVNOs technically as competition, but The operational rules and pricing would still be controlled by the original party as they are now. With TMO omitted out of the picture, the MVNOs now are working more as a collective business. Lose Sprint and now all MVNOs are dealing and selling just two choices.

I welcome more of your...
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mycool

Mar 21, 2011, 8:34 PM
Slammer said:
At first, this sounded practical.

I think the problem is that we would not be accessing a choice of networks. We essentially would be dealing with a third party of the same carrier(s).

In the auto industry, we have many choices of autos to choose from. It is different in this industry. If I'm understanding what your saying, we still would be bargaining with only three major networks in the end. I could perceive MVNOs technically as competition, but The operational rules and pricing would still be controlled by the original party as they are now. With TMO omitted out of the picture, the MVNOs now are working more as a collective business. Lose Sprint and now all MVNOs are dealing and selling just two c
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Azeron

Mar 21, 2011, 8:40 PM
"I figure why not accelerate that and throw regulations into the bag..."

You don't say? Mighty fancy abacus you have there.
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Slammer

Mar 21, 2011, 9:31 PM
Interesting. But I worry that spectrum is the crucial ingredient to become a relevant force. MVNOs do not own spectrum. The larger carriers hold this key element. The larger carriers could perceive smaller companies joining forces, as a threat. With the larger carriers owning the spectrum, slicing the jugular would be one of the remaining offensive measures of several plans in killing off the competition. I also fear MVNOs will never become prevalent enough to curb the financial and dominating power of the two.

The other concern is the mandates which you mention. I just have no confidence that congress would force these types of stipulations onto the larger. While these mandates make sense, we are essentially relying entirely on an enti...
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T Bone

Mar 21, 2011, 5:51 PM
I think that it is better for telecommunications companies to be bigger rather than smaller. Consolidation means fewer areas with no coverage and stronger coverage in areas where coverage already exists. It means networks which are stronger and more reliable and it means fewer service outages.

The truth is that there is a ton of places where both at&t and T-Mobile technically offer 'coverage' but the coverage is shallow, one or two bars, maybe three if you're lucky...combining the networks means many of those places with only one or two bars of coverage will now get 4 or 5 bars.....

In general I think it will be good for consumers.....

The dumbest argument I heard against this deal is 'why can't at&t spend this $39 billion to i...
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Azeron

Mar 21, 2011, 8:15 PM
To fix prices. When there are only two left standing you will see.
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T Bone

Mar 21, 2011, 8:19 PM
There are laws against that sort of thing you know, they will just have to be enforced.

Further, let's not forget the various regional and local carriers, and the pre-paids, which are getting better and better.

US Cellular
Cellular South
PCS Metro

Are among the bigger ones, not to mention companies like Tracfone and Cricket...
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Azeron

Mar 21, 2011, 8:33 PM
Cellular South? Seriously? You're reaching... When it is all said and done, Verizon and AT&T will treat ALL the other carriers including Sprint like gnats. They will take no notice of what they do. When Verizon was awaiting approval for the Alltel merger they had a training about disparaging Sprint. The gist was this: Even though Sprint is not an equal we must pretend that they are to avoid more regulation. We're talking about the third largest carrier here and they could care less what they do. The only question now is: Who leads the dance?
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Slammer

Mar 21, 2011, 9:45 PM
ATT will send their best salesman and strategists to the FCC and elevate the perception that the smaller carriers are more relevant than they actually are. They will point out at least 10 regional carriers that are operational as competition when in reality, they could not compare anywhere in size to be deemed viable.

John B.
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Azeron

Mar 22, 2011, 12:27 PM
All AT&T needs to do is sign the checks. Those guys don't care about anything else. It is all lip service.
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