AT&T in the hunt for Leap Wireless

[legion125]

That pesky AT&T. The grave of the T-Mobile merger isn't even cold yet and its going after Cricket. This one may pass FCC muster.

 

http://www.theverge.com/2012/2/16/2801647/at-t-leap-wireless-purchase-spectrum

 

AT&T pursuing Leap Wireless purchase for its spectrum?

 

AT&T has made no bones about its need for more wireless spectrum, and now that it can't acquire T-Mobile, it's considering a myriad of options to fill in the gaps. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the company is in the midst of talks with Leap Wireless, which owns the more well-known brand Cricket, saying that the two sides "have been engaged in talks about a potential deal." The talks are apparently the result of a rapport the two companies built up when AT&T was considering selling Leap some spectrum to make the T-Mobile acquisition more palatable. Though any potential deal is reportedly months away, it could remove out one of the more successful smaller carriers from the marketplace.

 

It's no surprise that AT&T is looking at all options, including possible deals with MetroPCS and even Dish Network, which recently tussled with AT&T in FCC filings over its own wireless plans. Dish might not be interested in selling, the WSJ reports, and MetroPCS is also apparently not looking like a likely partner.

 

While AT&T's spectrum crunch is a problem, it has to be said that the company is still managing to roll out LTE fairly well in the short term. Compared to T-Mobile (which has yet to detail any clear LTE plans) and Sprint (which has to now manage without LightSquared's network), the situation could certainly be worse.

[MacinJosh]

They sure aren't giving up, are they? Greedy bastards.

[S4GRU]

"You killed Leap Wireless! You bastards!"

 

 

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[Fraydog]

They sure aren't giving up, are they? Greedy bastards.

 

AT&T just can't get past the Whitacre model of business. I would rather see them invest in their own network and try to reverse their industry lagging customer satisfaction.

 

Oh what do I know, I'm just a mindless amateur.

[MacinJosh]

When SBC announced that they were acquiring AT&T, i said to my friend that SBC's next target was going to be Bell South so that they could consolidate Cingular into their fold. I said that about 6 months before at&t inc announced the Bell South purchase. I knew then that they were trying to re-monopolize. I guess I was right. Hopefully the FCC won't let this go through either.

[legion125]

One good thing that would come of an AT&T buyout of Leap is the instant closure of all these low rent store front Cricket stores and shabby kiosk's you see. Not to disparage the needy, but you can count on standing room only at Cricket on the 1st & 15th when the government checks come it. These places are so small and shady looking and look like a fire hazard. An AT&T buyout would be a public service.

[S4GRU]

One good thing that would come of an AT&T buyout of Leap is the instant closure of all these low rent store front Cricket stores and shabby kiosk's you see. Not to disparage the needy' date=' but you can count on standing room only at Cricket on the 1st & 15th when the government checks come it. These places are so small and shady looking and look like a fire hazard. An AT&T buyout would be a public service.[/quote']

 

I know exactly what you're talking about. The Cricket store here in our small town looks like a crack house with a hand painted sign. Even the Mexican Money Wiring office looks like a Taj Mahal in comparison.

 

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[MacinJosh]

Now that is sad. Cricket Stores in Vegas & Visalia aren't that way, at least not the ones I've gone by before.

[legion125]

Your talking Vegas baby! Everything is glitter & gold!

[MacinJosh]

Your talking Vegas baby! Everything is glitter & gold!

 

How wrong you are about Vegas. Only so much of it is glitter and gold, and the rest is bad. Gangs, drugs, homeless numbers on the rise faster than a casino implosion. I've seen it all. I've lived in Nevada since '90, the first 6 years were in Vegas.

[legion125]

Your right of course, I was there last year for a conference and got to drive around with some LE types and saw the real Vegas, I was only alluding to the hype and fantasy of the strip.

[MacinJosh]

Even with the lights, the Strip is terrible. Murders right in front of casino's left and right now. It's so sad how that city has gone down.

[legion125]

Here's some info about Leaps 4th quarter results. Although AT&T has gobs of money, and Leap will be cheaper than T-Mo, they still won't get a discount. Plus, I forgot that LEAP signed an MVNO agreement with Sprint several years ago so Cricket could have a nationwide presence. This could be somewhat troublesome down the road for Sprint if Leap is bought out. Knowing Sprints unquenchable thirst for revenue to pay Apple and NV, I wonder if there is any hand wringing in Overland Park?

 

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/leap-adds-179k-customers-q4-lte-rollout-remains-track/2012-02-16

[Fraydog]

Hard for me to feel sorry for Leap. They just never struck me as an outfit that was anything but shady.