The FCC has already entertained the ok for the Tmo/ATT merge. This is due partly because Verizon is not contesting the merge. If Verizon is not interested in Sprint, this allows the perception that there will still be a valid source of choice for the consumers.
Since Cricket and MetroPCS are entities in many cities, ATT is trying to leverage these much smaller carriers such like Cricket and MetroPCS as options for consumers. To add Sprint into the mix, is yet another carrier choice with even more coverage. With a metropolitan area with 3-4 choices, The FCC can view this as enough competition for consumers to choose from. Sounds legitimate until it is all said and done. Once the opposition has been given the option to acquire an entity li...
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It sure doesn't. The prices will be the same. Publicly, AT&T and Verizon will trumpet the idea of Sprint as a worthy competitor but privately they will snicker. There is money to be made selling air. Lots of it...
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AT&T said in it's press release that bits will cost less because of increased capacity, and the increased spectrum. Do you not believe this?
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They are hitting major government points on rural broadband access, cost decrease, etc. They want this to go through and will point out that it can decrease cost.
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The cost differential may be significant, but will it trickle down to the end user? Minimal. ATT will take the savings and pass it on to their own pockets.
The Government will need to enforce major stipulations to allow this merge. Sadly, with the lobbied practices of big businesses, the merge will go through with few contingencies.
John B.
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There's already been talks about being able to cut costs. Nothing official yet but it's at least there.
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Well there will be a heck of a lot more capacity, right?
I have some ?'s that I'd like to ask Cellstudent to better understand the spectral benefits of the extra spectrum ATT is getting from Tmo.
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You misunderstand. I believe that it will save AT&T money but it will increase their profits not save consumers money.
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I understand. I'm just saying with the immensley increased capacity, they SHOULD allow more data than the current 2GB/5GB plans, which is essentially nothing.
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Why? If customers already accept the current offering and have one less choice why would they cut their throats. Especially if Verizon is offering the same thing and their only other choice is Sprint? This is going from bad to worse.
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If AT&T was smart about business, they would announce with the merger the re-institution of unlimited plans roughly the same time the iphone 5 is announced.
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The increased spectrum, will help significantly in helping ATT reach their coverage goals. It will also increase optimal usage for the end user.
The problem is that 4G is new. It is going to be trial and error in pricing. There is a chance caps will be more forgiving. But in all reality, I don't think by much. If users want more data, they will have to pay. Simple as that.
John B
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MetroPCS or Cricket's coverage area and types of services offered are inferior to those of Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, or T-Mobile. I highly doubt that the big four carriers worry about the small stuff like MetroPCS or Cricket.
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They don't. However, they will lobby to the FCC that they are.
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Plus I'm sure MetroPCS and Cricket will gain some 1900 and 1700 spectrum in any divestiture.
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There are not four big carriers. There are two huge carriers and two medium ones. After this there will be on gargantuan carrier one huge one and one medium.
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