T-Mobile LTE & Network Discussion

[lynyrd65]

 

There are still specific prepaid options, but the major "UNcarrier" stuff is the dramatic simplification of the postpaid plan system. For the bulk of the time that DT's mobile brand has been operating in the USA, it has had a dizzying array of options to choose from. The result was very confused customers who didn't know what to get. Examples include Even More and Even More Plus, the Classic/Value split, and so on.

 

The hope is that the simplification will reduce administrative costs and boost revenue. Early indicators seem to bear fruit, but we'll wait and see.

 

At first I was quite opposed to them but their execution has been excellent. The plans really make pretty good sense and appear to be marketed well.

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[JohnHovah]

OK, so I have wasted the first 3 hours of my day (subjectively, not that being here is a waste) reading through countless threads in relation to all things Clear/Sprint/Softbank/T-Mobile/MetroPCS/USCC/Dish and all other potential minor carriers and the various iterations on merger potentials, technology clashes and incompatibilities, spectrum interference and about 25 other variables.

 

I would like to collectively have all of our (very large) brains looking at these issues from a few fresh angles. Certainly there is not one among us who can honestly say they know the intent, future plans and growth opportunities for every company, its subcontractors, the semiconductor provider's chipset capabilities(or potential) to make a conclusive prediction on where we will end up here.

 

Instead of looking for the reasons that things cannot work, why not look at how, with presently developing standards, we could find a way to come up with a win-win out-of-the-box solution. (F U Tony Robbins, sorry had to put that in here) Surely the onus is not on us to fix or resolve the many problems inherent with the TELCO company of our choosing, but I still do believe that we all get mired in the details at times and don't see the forest for the trees.

 

Basically, if we can get a consensus on possible synergies and on where interoperability can work (even with a minor or moderate adjustment) a few things may click into place on what the future can hold or promise.

 

I know that sounds like a lot of fluff, wishful thinking or overly optimistic garbage, but do believe we are the perfect combination of technical specialists, free thinkers, insider evangelists and otherwise zealous knowledge seekers of all things wireless. Let's get less reactive and more proactive in the Sponsor/Premier Sponsor forum and see what wild @!#$$ we can come up with.

[irev210]

From everything that I have seen, T-Mobile's "UNcarrier" strategy offers both postpaid and prepaid options on most/all plans.

 

AJ

 

The only thing to watch is Churn. It's too early to tell how their new plan will play out, but considering 1Q was the first Q in a long time they did not lose subscribers, I would say things are finally looking a bit better.

 

We can re-discuss in 2 years once all of the old t-mobile has washed out and we see new t-mobile take hold and see how subprime they've turned.

[Deval]

The only thing to watch is Churn. It's too early to tell how their new plan will play out, but considering 1Q was the first Q in a long time they did not lose subscribers, I would say things are finally looking a bit better.

 

We can re-discuss in 2 years once all of the old t-mobile has washed out and we see new t-mobile take hold and see how subprime they've turned.

 

One thing to note, the Q1 numbers do not reflect their recent plan and branding changes. That will be reflected in Q2-Q3.

[irev210]

One thing to note, the Q1 numbers do not reflect their recent plan and branding changes. That will be reflected in Q2-Q3.

 

brand changes, no. recent plans since the new CEO stepped in, yes.

 

recent brand changes will take more time to work through.

[gangrene]

The only thing to watch is Churn. It's too early to tell how their new plan will play out, but considering 1Q was the first Q in a long time they did not lose subscribers, I would say things are finally looking a bit better.

 

We can re-discuss in 2 years once all of the old t-mobile has washed out and we see new t-mobile take hold and see how subprime they've turned.

 

I'd argue that the bulk of subscriber losses they've faced in recent years were iPhone driven.

 

Sprint faced the same problem until they started offering the iPhone.

 

Now, they'll be viable and sustainable business.

 

Its what helped cement a duopolistic market with Verizon and AT&T at the helm in the first place.

Edited April 11, 2013 by gangrene

[Fraydog]

If you merged Sprint and T-Mobile, the key question would be "how do you avoid the same blunders that besieged the Nextel transaction?"

[gangrene]

If you merged Sprint and T-Mobile, the key question would be "how do you avoid the same blunders that besieged the Nextel transaction?"

 

Mergers aren't good for consumers, they're bad for your wallet and your number of choices diminish.

 

I'll never understand this pro-consolidation mindset.

[ericdabbs]

I don't understand the fascination of a Sprint and Tmobile merger at this point when both companies are both caught up in their own transactions to bolster their network and trying to catch up to the big 2. I just don't see a Sprint and Tmobile merger occurring any time soon or if ever. Sprint attempted to buy Tmobile once several years ago before AT&T jumped with a better offer. I think the FCC is happy to have 4 major carriers in the US competing for market share. The problem the FCC has is that Verizon and AT&T control too much of the wireless industry and they need to find a way to help Sprint and Tmobile become a bigger threat to the big 2.

 

As much as I love Sprint, I am glad that there is still Tmobile out there as an alternative carrier that I can jump to that still has unlimited data. I wouldn't want to see Tmobile gobbled up by Sprint and reduce competition. I just think once Sprint and Tmobile catch up with their LTE footprint to be on par with Verizon and AT&T, current customers for Verizon and AT&T would be willing to give Sprint and Tmobile a chance once they see LTE in their town to see if they can save them any money and for the unlimited data. If you ask any current Verizon and AT&T customer why they wouldn't switch to Sprint and Tmobile and a lot will say its because they don't have LTE in their town even if it means they continue to pay higher prices.

[Mobilesolutions]

Mergers aren't good for consumers, they're bad for your wallet and your number of choices diminish.

 

I'll never understand this pro-consolidation mindset.

 

Actually i'll take the other side of the fence and say these mergers are great for consumers, excellent for your wallet and increase your number of choices.

 

Most of these mergers give the carriers a larger spectrum portfolio and more often than not allows them to deploy more spectrum in areas where they were over capacity due to a spectrum licence absence or interference with another carriers spectrum holdings in a particular area. Second as the base carriers grow larger it gives smaller MVNO companies opportunities to resell service under their own brand name. ( look at solavei, straight talk, etc etc.)

[mellimel2212]

 

I am using "sub prime" in the financial sense, as in T-Mobile is increasingly setting itself up to attract urban, poor, credit challenged subs.

 

AJ

 

That's an unfair statement to make bro. I know a lot of good credit upper and middle class people with T-Mobile. Their data just can't penetrate a wet paper bag lol. In my area at least.

 

Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus rockin 4.2.2 using Tapatalk 2

Edited April 12, 2013 by mellimel2212

[avb]

That's an unfair statement to make bro. I know a lot of good credit upper and middle class people with T-Mobile. Their data just can't penetrate a wet paper bag lol. In my area at least.

 

Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus rockin 4.2.2 using Tapatalk 2

 

But that is what TMobile is aiming for. Their business model and plan options resemble Cricket Wireless more than the other big 3 carriers.

[bigsnake49]

I don't understand the fascination of a Sprint and Tmobile merger at this point when both companies are both caught up in their own transactions to bolster their network and trying to catch up to the big 2. I just don't see a Sprint and Tmobile merger occurring any time soon or if ever. Sprint attempted to buy Tmobile once several years ago before AT&T jumped with a better offer. I think the FCC is happy to have 4 major carriers in the US competing for market share. The problem the FCC has is that Verizon and AT&T control too much of the wireless industry and they need to find a way to help Sprint and Tmobile become a bigger threat to the big 2.

 

As much as I love Sprint, I am glad that there is still Tmobile out there as an alternative carrier that I can jump to that still has unlimited data. I wouldn't want to see Tmobile gobbled up by Sprint and reduce competition. I just think once Sprint and Tmobile catch up with their LTE footprint to be on par with Verizon and AT&T, current customers for Verizon and AT&T would be willing to give Sprint and Tmobile a chance once they see LTE in their town to see if they can save them any money and for the unlimited data. If you ask any current Verizon and AT&T customer why they wouldn't switch to Sprint and Tmobile and a lot will say its because they don't have LTE in their town even if it means they continue to pay higher prices.

 

The reason we are advocating a Sprint/Tmobile merger is that we think that the only way to compete with the Big 2 is to be just as big. Now, It would have been very nice to have had 4 companies of approximately equal size and approximately equal spectrum allocations but we don't. Short of that we think it's the best thing that could happen.

 

The combined company would have the financial heft to bid in the upcoming sub 700MHz auction.

[JimBob]

The reason we are advocating a Sprint/Tmobile merger is that we think that the only way to compete with the Big 2 is to be just as big. Now, It would have been very nice to have had 4 companies of approximately equal size and approximately equal spectrum allocations but we don't. Short of that we think it's the best thing that could happen.

 

The combined company would have the financial heft to bid in the upcoming sub 700MHz auction.

Does not SoftBank now provide Sprint with financial heft?

[MacinJosh]

The reason we are advocating a Sprint/Tmobile merger is that we think that the only way to compete with the Big 2 is to be just as big. Now, It would have been very nice to have had 4 companies of approximately equal size and approximately equal spectrum allocations but we don't. Short of that we think it's the best thing that could happen.

 

The combined company would have the financial heft to bid in the upcoming sub 700MHz auction.

 

The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

[WiWavelength]

That's an unfair statement to make bro. I know a lot of good credit upper and middle class people with T-Mobile.

 

Good grief. If I had made a sweeping generalization about most/all T-Mobile users, then that would have been "unfair." However, I did no such thing. Instead, I made an objective observation about a strategy that T-Mobile is pursuing.

 

Go back and reread my post.

 

AJ

[bigsnake49]

Dish Network Corp. (DISH) Chairman Charlie Ergen informally approached Deutsche Telekom AG (DTE) about a possible merger with the German company’s T-Mobile USA Inc. unit, a deal that would let him bundle wireless service with his satellite-TV offerings, according to people close to the situation.

Dish made the proposal sometime before April 10, when Deutsche Telekom announced a sweetened bid for MetroPCS Communications Inc. (PCS), according to the people. Deutsche Telekom might consider Dish’s proposal when the transaction with MetroPCS closes, though only after verifying that a separate deal with Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) isn’t feasible, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private.

 

http://www.bloomberg...mobile-bid.html

 

What a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive. That aside, a Dish/T-mobile combination will have plenty of spectrum.

Edited April 12, 2013 by bigsnake49

[mellimel2212]

 

Good grief. If I had made a sweeping generalization about most/all T-Mobile users, then that would have been "unfair." However, I did no such thing. Instead, I made an objective observation about a strategy that T-Mobile is pursuing.

 

Go back and reread my post.

 

AJ

 

I read your post lol. I was just saying maybe T-Mobile is taking the different approach seeing as the current one has them dead last haha. Not criticizing u aj chill out bro.

 

Sent from my Sprint Galaxy Nexus rockin 4.2.2 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[ericdabbs]

If Dish buys Tmobile they will have so much spectrum when they also combine Dish's own 40 MHz of S-band spectrum. If that were to happen, would the FCC require Tmobile to divest some of their PCS spectrum. Also if Dish were to buy Tmobile, you can kiss a possible Sprint/Tmobile merger in the future bye bye because good o' Charlie will not want to deal with Sprint. This would really make Tmobile a strong 4th contender in the market with a huge spectrum portfolio. The only downside is that Tmobile would still lack some low band spectrum which could be resolved with a 600 MHz spectrum auction.

[bigsnake49]

Just remember that according to Bloomberg, T-Mobile already has a merger offer from Sprint.

[ericdabbs]

Just remember that according to Bloomberg, T-Mobile already has a merger offer from Sprint.

 

I don't think the Bloomberg article mentions anything that Tmobile has a pending merger offer from Sprint. It does mention that Tmobile and Sprint had held talks about a merger as early as 2011 but it does say that the deal fell apart due to both parties unable to reach an agreement price. But that doesn't mean that Sprint and Tmobile are still actively in discussions for a merger as of this moment.

 

Sprint/Softbank/Clearwire are still in a huge debacle with their own merger where Sprint can't seem to get Dish and Crest Financial off their backs for Clearwire. It doesn't make any sense at all that Sprint and Tmobile would be talking at this point. It seems like Dish is the only company in the running for Tmobile. It does mention in the article that Deutsch Telekom is waiting for the Tmobile/MetroPCS transaction to be finalized and that a pending deal for Clearwire is off the table before engaging with any talks with Dish.

[bigsnake49]

I don't think the Bloomberg article mentions anything that Tmobile has a pending merger offer from Sprint. It does mention that Tmobile and Sprint had held talks about a merger as early as 2011 but it does say that the deal fell apart due to both parties unable to reach an agreement price. But that doesn't mean that Sprint and Tmobile are still actively in discussions for a merger as of this moment.

 

From the Bloomberg article:

 

"Deutsche Telekom might consider Dish’s proposal when the transaction with MetroPCS closes, though only after verifying that a separate deal with Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) isn’t feasible, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private."

 

The bolded part seems to me to imply that they have an active Sprint offer.

[ericdabbs]

I have no idea what Sprint's plan would be to merge their network with Tmobile and MetroPCS given that Network Vision is close to 1/3 done. With Tmobile doing its own "Network Vision" and MetroPCS with its own network, I don't know how Sprint is planning to merge everything even if the plan is to move everything to LTE.

 

I guess with Softbank's funding, Son is definitely willing to pump in as much money to try to catch up to Verizon and AT&T. Would be curious to see how the FCC would look at a potential Sprint/Tmobile merger.

[bigsnake49]

I have no idea what Sprint's plan would be to merge their network with Tmobile and MetroPCS given that Network Vision is close to 1/3 done. With Tmobile doing its own "Network Vision" and MetroPCS with its own network, I don't know how Sprint is planning to merge everything even if the plan is to move everything to LTE.

 

I guess with Softbank's funding, Son is definitely willing to pump in as much money to try to catch up to Verizon and AT&T. Would be curious to see how the FCC would look at a potential Sprint/Tmobile merger.

 

From what I understand it will be a 3 year project after the conclusion of the merger. What they have been struggling with is what to do with the 800MHz SMR spectrum. One of the options is to move voice to VOLTE and have the 800MHz SMR be the primary voice frequency. Of course when there is light voice traffic, then the bandwidth will be used for pure data.

 

The FCC will not have a problem with he combination, given certain spectrum divestitures. The resistance will come from the DOJ and FTC. I am thinking that divesting Clearwire entirely will satisfy the DOJ and FTC . There might be other conditions such as deployment of 800MHz SMR in rural areas.

[Guest 503ducati]

From the Bloomberg article:

 

"Deutsche Telekom might consider Dish’s proposal when the transaction with MetroPCS closes, though only after verifying that a separate deal with Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) isn’t feasible, said the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private."

 

The bolded part seems to me to imply that they have an active Sprint offer.

I interpreted that as a separate deal with Sprint / Dish isn't feasible.