Jeramey Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 AT&T announced today that it will be purchasing T-Mobile USA. The $39 billion deal has been approved by the board of directors of both companies (although not yet the FCC), and will make AT&T the largest wireless provider in the United States. Sprint was rumored to be in talks with T-Mobile for a similar acquisition. From AT&T’s press release: AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile USA provides an optimal combination of network assets to add capacity sooner than any alternative, and it provides an opportunity to improve network quality in the near term for both companies’ customers. In addition, it provides a fast, efficient and certain solution to the impending exhaustion of wireless spectrum in some markets, which limits both companies’ ability to meet the ongoing explosive demand for mobile broadband. With this transaction, AT&T commits to a significant expansion of robust 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) deployment to 95 percent of the U.S. population to reach an additional 46.5 million Americans beyond current plans – including rural communities and small towns. This helps achieve the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and President Obama’s goals to connect “every part of America to the digital age.” T-Mobile USA does not have a clear path to delivering LTE. “This transaction represents a major commitment to strengthen and expand critical infrastructure for our nation’s future,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T Chairman and CEO. “It will improve network quality, and it will bring advanced LTE capabilities to more than 294 million people. Mobile broadband networks drive economic opportunity everywhere, and they enable the expanding high-tech ecosystem that includes device makers, cloud and content providers, app developers, customers, and more. During the past few years, America’s high-tech industry has delivered innovation at unprecedented speed, and this combination will accelerate its continued growth.” Stephenson continued, “This transaction delivers significant customer, shareowner and public benefits that are available at this level only from the combination of these two companies with complementary network technologies, spectrum positions and operations. We are confident in our ability to execute a seamless integration, and with additional spectrum and network capabilities, we can better meet our customers’ current demands, build for the future and help achieve the President’s goals for a high-speed, wirelessly connected America.” Deutsche Telekom Chairman and CEO René Obermann said, “After evaluating strategic options for T-Mobile USA, I am confident that AT&T is the best partner for our customers, shareholders and the mobile broadband ecosystem. Our common network technology makes this a logical combination and provides an efficient path to gaining the spectrum and network assets needed to provide T-Mobile customers with 4G LTE and the best devices. Also, the transaction returns significant value to Deutsche Telekom shareholders and allows us to retain exposure to the U.S. market.” As part of the transaction, Deutsche Telekom will receive an equity stake in AT&T that, based on the terms of the agreement, would give Deutsche Telekom an ownership interest in AT&T of approximately 8 percent. A Deutsche Telekom representative will join the AT&T Board of Directors Source: http://www.technobuffalo.com/blog/mobile-devices/att-buys-t-mobile/ So in about a year now AT&T will officially be the biggest network in the USA, accusations of Verizon trying to buy Sprint now to make the FCC decline the buy-out or just to still be the biggest network is in the air but who knows. Definately will be interesting to see what happens with T-Mobile customers if AT&T honors their rate plans or not for those grandfathered in, what will happen to the people working at T-Mobile currently, and all of the phones that they have exclusive to only T-Mobile such as the MyTouch and the G2 series phones if they'll transfer over to AT&T. What are your guys'thoughts, if any? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shogen Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 I had heard this from the Sony Ericsson rep that comes to the company meetings last week. Apparently was a deal spoken about many months ago and took this long to come up with a number.... lol... Glad to see this merger though, will make the cellphone service companies strive to offer more at possibly better pricing... Quote Pioneer Premier P880PRS ll Front Stage: US Acoustics 4060 - Random speakers currently ll Sub Stage: Crescendo BC3500D - 15" Xcon sealed @ 3.28 cubes ll Electrical: - Kinetik HC1800(front) NEW***DieHard P-2(rear) beaker- I know this sounds like a lot of anime bullshit, but it is true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiophile831 Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 Good find there bro.. Looks like att is the new big dick of wireless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IH8PunkRok Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 its gonna happen again. AT&T is gonna buy everyone and be forced to break up due to them being a monopoly. it is kinda good that T-Mobile got swooped up by them, as long as they keep their phones Quote -Matt2005 Dodge Magnum RTJVC KD-AVX1 2 PPI S580.2 Obsidian Audio ST1 Horn Tweeters PRV 8MB450s Audio Legion 3500.1D 2 RE MT 18s 360 ah LiFePO4 BatterySHCA 2/0 155.2 @ 29 hzKicker CVR 15's buildDD 3512e buildMini T-Line Build(6) 8s BuildNightshade 15s Wall BuildMagnum AB XFL 12s BuildNewest Magnum Build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramey Posted March 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 It was more of an offer you can't refuse on T-Mobile's end, apparently that was grossly overpaid on AT&T's side. There's been a lot of rumor going on that Verizon will try to go after Sprint now just to even the odds or even just to prevent the merger because then it will be 2 wireless giants ruling the country's cell phones rather than the 4 balanced carriers before. If only Sprint used GSM I woulda liked to see T-Mobile and Sprint merge that would sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared420 Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 I hope the service will be bomb everywhere now cuz att has some dead spots Quote 2012 silverado ext cab ltz 24" kmc rims AudioQue 2200 Pioneer AppRadio Alpine mrx f35 4 channel Bose mids and highs Iraggi Alt + stock alt in a DC power dual alternator kit Yellowtop+stock under hood 0 gauge Knu wire Big 3 4 gauge stinger (4 chan wiring) 3 DC 10'' LVL3 with LVL4 parts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramey Posted March 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 Well it will take at least a year for the merge to be compelted, a year for sure if the FCC lets it slide. So as of right now everything will be exactly the same but in 2012 that's when everything should go into effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 i've had t-mobile for years and years. i'm not sure how i feel about this. i've been happy with t-mobile. hopefully it doesn't turn shitty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shogen Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 The only shitty thing maybe for current T-mobile subscribers is when they go to "upgrade" ... Might not be happy about some of the premiums... Other than that, it should benefit most... I do think they might end up forced into a split though down the road.. Quote Pioneer Premier P880PRS ll Front Stage: US Acoustics 4060 - Random speakers currently ll Sub Stage: Crescendo BC3500D - 15" Xcon sealed @ 3.28 cubes ll Electrical: - Kinetik HC1800(front) NEW***DieHard P-2(rear) beaker- I know this sounds like a lot of anime bullshit, but it is true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramey Posted March 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 It could go either way, who knows if AT&T will keep their rate plans as is maybe they'll move some of T-Mobile's rates in to drive down Verizon's pricing. Basically the main reason for this was to expand their network in less time than it would take to build all new towers to get the same coverage. Did it cost more? Probably. But will it be worth it in the long run if everything goes well? Definately, gaining about 40 million customers almost in the process it will basically pay for itself after a few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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