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Arysyn

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Everything posted by Arysyn

  1. I received my iPhone X today, but I haven't opened it yet. T-Mobile is working with my mother on some complex number porting/switching arrangements with our plan, so I'll wait until Monday to get the phone ready for use after the other stuff gets done over the weekend. T-Mobile has been really great lately with everything, and I'm really glad they haven't messed up on anything.
  2. I know you both doubt it will happen, and that is fine. Opinions. I've read plenty of articles stating the benefits and the likelihood of such a merger, and I think it stands a good chance. I do agree with Fraydog about Comcast being the closest to a national carrier, which is part of why I think them getting involved in wireless is possible at this point and worthwhile enough to them. They may get involved again, possibly with Charter for a Sprint merger if the T-Mobile merger doesn't happen. Otherwise though, Verizon is their closest suitor. What I don't believe are the rumors in the past of Comcast and T-Mobile. No way!
  3. Great post, Fraydog Right now is absolutely not the time for cable to get involved with wireless mergers, with the possible exception of Comcast/Verizon. Besides the points you made, which were very good, I also cannot stress how bad a situation would be were you have a cable company which mostly is just regional, selling a national wireless service, but putting bundles for that service with cable that only is available in areas where their cable service is shared. I am a very anti-discrimination person, as I have a deep dislike for anything unfair to someone or a group of people, which I know especially from being severely inflicted by physical disability and how society is, etc. Customers are literally disabled (though certainly not in the same sense as actual physical disability), but monetarily, market-based disability based simply on where they live and which services they have access to. This is a big part why I advocate for service industry mergers, so that there is greater equal access to what people have around elsewhere in the country. People should not be so limited based on where they chose to live, or literally have to reside somewhere based on circumstances. The only thing that I am more tolerant of with lack of access is when it involves people deciding to live in extreme rural environments, where it just cannot be feasible for all of these options. Yet even now, larger areas still have lack of access where really shouldn't be an issue to serve, but regulation and competition challenges make it difficult for even moderate populated areas to be fully served. Such as if Sprint had more customers and more money, they could grow the network faster, but they can't really, because they are the smallest carrier with money issues and three much larger competitors. Yet together with T-Mobile, it makes Sprint much stronger as it does for T-Mobile, gives them much more power and resources to compete, along with a much stronger combined network that has the ability to really grow. Not to say though that Sprint couldn't do this alone with the right financing, but really can we seriously trust Softbank to do that now after so long of not financing Sprint as it needs? T-Mobile under DT and John Legere certainly will, and we will all benefit under it, regardless of our disappointment Sprint couldn't get the proper support to do it alone. But it could be even worse with Charter. Cable isn't the right path for Sprint at this point.
  4. Thanks for including the links, RedSpark. I went to read about the Intel modem, which seems like it'll be plenty fast, though disappointingly the site didn't list the bands it is capable of. Does it support T-Mobile's 600mhz spectrum, which I'm referring to the Intel XMM 7560 that might be in next year's iPhones?
  5. My view on this is that its sounding more likely that this merger is going to happen, between that CNBC article and the article I posted here yesterday from TmoNews about how DT/T-Mobile were still making new updates to their offer for Softbank. The deal is too good for either company to pass up, and I believe they both realize this, which is why they still are trying for it. Now if it doesn't happen, what I believe could be the next most likely outcome spanning a few years or so, is that we might see more consolidation among cable companies, as I've written about before here on S4GRU many times. This needs to happen in order for cable to have success buying and integrating wireless carriers for nationwide bundling opportunities, etc. One possible thing is there could become two cable companies both nationwide that agree or are ordered by regulatory authorities under conditions for the mergers to take place, is they split cable lines nationwide for consumer choice across the country. It may even be three or four or more cable companies doing this, but its my opinion that there will be no more than three wireless carriers, two of which being owned by cable, while AT&T remains the third, non-cable option. My thought is that Comcast will get Verizon, as speculated online by many news sites and blogs, but then Verizon may get Sprint and some point for the spectrum. T-Mobile may get Dish, then possibly be bought by another national cable company, or else be approached again by AT&T for the spectrum, in order to compete with the Comcast/Verizon combination. Generally speaking, these outcomes would be much worse for consumers than having Sprint and T-Mobile merge, so really those who are concerned about decreased competition ought to at least welcome this current merger possibility in some degree as means of preventing a worse outcome later on.
  6. I remember when the mobile version use to do something similar to this, which was very frustrating at the time. Yet thankfully it hasn't happened to me in quite some time. I even forgot what the exact notification message that appeared whenever this occurred, but if it ever happens to me again, I'll update about it here, of course once after I've got back online logged in here successfully, obviously
  7. Regarding Intel, there is no doubt they still are a big company, but things in the consumer pc processor market are not the same for them as it once was, and its in that regard I mentioned the "powerhouse" term. I've read articles suggesting a possible merger of sorts between Intel and AMD's graphics division, not necessarily AMD as a whole, though personally I can't see that happening. In my view it would have to be the entire form of AMD, which I can't see happening either, nor would AMD give up their graphics division that they are using to compete with Nvidia. If AMD did that, Intel would have to make a major focus in graphics with it, or else there would be an extreme monopoly in the market with Nvidia left as the only major graphics company. Intel just doesn't seem like the right potential competitor to Nvidia with or without AMD's graphics division, so all in all I really can't say much for that, but regardless its still being mentioned in some tech sites I read. Back to Apple though. Apple is very much strongly in business with both AMD and Intel, though I believe if there were to be a merger, it would be with Intel instead of AMD. I think that would be a great combination, giving Intel a much stronger position in the mobile market than they currently have, pitting them directly against Qualcomm. This would be a great boost for Apple, especially considering the legal issues they have ongoing against Qualcomm. Apple seems set on making their own processors, modems, etc for future iPhones, and pairing with Intel even stronger than just their partnership would make for some further great hardware innovation. I'm actually glad Apple is using Intel's modem and considering not using Qualcomm for future iPhones. I was really happy to learn during the new iPhone reveal event that Apple is making the processor and gpu now, and not outsourcing so much of the internal parts. I'm not sure what the timeline is for the future mobile display technologies, but the rumors of MLED technology has me hoping Apple will get involved in production of those displays directly. I've read reports that seem to indicate this, and again I am glad, because I'm a big supporter of in-house development and production. With Apple doing this, it makes for a major advantage over the Android platform, in my opinion.
  8. For Sprint customers, getting Dish would certainly be very helpful. Sprint could use more mid-band spectrum for where band 41 doesn't reach. As a T-Mobile customer, I'd like for T-Mobile to get Dish for the same reason to aid T-Mobile, but also for the added 600mhz spectrum Dish got. I know some here may view this differently, but I suspect if T-Mobile and Sprint do merge, they'll try getting Dish as a way to add video competition against AT&T, where it may not be Legere so much involved in that decision, but possibly Masayoshi Son and Softbank's interest in going for a Dish combo.
  9. True, but I'm referring to if T-Mobile were to buy Dish, with Ergen retiring. However, considering the jabs Legere has made towards Directv's satellites lately, I'm not too sure T-Mobile would even be interested at this point, unless they buy Dish for the spectrum and the SlingTv service. Also, it would be easy to obtain regulatory approval on the Dish merger.
  10. Yet another new merger update : https://www.tmonews.com/2017/11/t-mobile-sprint-new-offer-save-merger/
  11. There sure are alot of them lately. Now that I'm settled with T-Mobile, I'm hoping the merger happens, or at least a T-Mobile/Dish merger would be nice.
  12. Thank you for that information, RedSpark, along with the information about Intel. Kind of a side topic I have for mentioning here, though I promise not to drag it into an off-topic discussion here. I'm kind of curious about mergers that may happen in the processor space, including Apple. As Apple is working closer with Intel these past few years, and I've heard in general Intel isn't the powerhouse it once was, with news reports I've read stating an Intel/AMD partnership or merger may happen in the future, I'm kind of curious if Apple may be a potential suitor, especially as news reports I've been reading talk about Apple getting more involved in making their own processors. Intel could make a pretty big part in that, and its interesting to think about. Anyways, I'm definitely looking forward to the iPhone X delivery tomorrow.
  13. T-Mobile finally got my device pre-order process done correctly this time around, unlike the Samsung S7 and Note 7 attempts I made with them that had me switching away from T-Mobile after those issues. I'm getting the Space Gray iPhone X 256gb, which is arriving tomorrow, Friday November 3. I also ordered the Black Leather Case from Apple, which also is arriving tomorrow. However, the case I really wanted was the Catalyst waterproof case, but on the Catalyst website it notes that the case won't be available to ship until January. Considering the high cost of the iPhone X, I figured I needed a case for it much sooner, though I still plan on purchasing the Catalyst case in January. Anyone else getting their shipment of the iPhone X tomorrow? What is the shipping arrangements with Sprint for it? The one downside with T-Mobile (in my opinion), is they use UPS, which means I'll have to wait until later in the evening quite likely for it, whereas if it shipped FedEx, I'd likely get it before noon.
  14. Some of you may remember the times I've reported here about my leaving T-Mobile in the past, which I officially did about three or four times. A few of those were to try Sprint, and the others were two specific times T-Mobile messed up on my preorders for smartphones, in which once I went to Verizon, and the other to AT&T. Then several months ago, I mentioned about how I might leave T-Mobile because of the Digits issue, but I didn't end up leaving T-Mobile after all since executive response offered me a great deal for whenever I decided to upgrade my device away from the Microsoft Lumia 950xl I've been using, which ver these past months has seen a huge drop in support from many companies who previously supported the platform with various apps. Its been quite frustrating, but the problem really is with Microsoft for failing to promote its platform to compete with Android and iOS. BTW, the two smartphone preorders T-Mobile messed up on were the Samsung S7 and the Note 7, both I tried to preorder and went through a bunch of problems dealing with T-Mobile trying to get the devices while plenty other customers were already receiving theirs. However, I'm happy to report T-Mobile not only gave an incredible discount to me for my iPhone X 256gb (they're covering the full down payment), but I'm receiving the device on Friday this week, tomorrow, on time, finally! Not only that, but they're discounting my mother's iPhone SE and Apple Watch Series 3 42mm Stainless Steel model the same discount as on my iPhone X. So, between that and the service being improved lately, I'm keeping T-Mobile.
  15. Here is the TmoNews article about the merger update : https://www.tmonews.com/2017/11/softbank-final-sprint-t-mobile-merger-proposal-deutsche-telekom/
  16. From what I've read over time, and just checked up on now to be sure things are still the same from what I've read last, the CWA does not have an official union of all T-Mobile employees. Sure, CWA is fighting for it, but so far its been resisted by T-Mobile corporate, and if anyone here wanted to look at any of the executive response employee sites online for T-Mobile, along with call center sites, its very clear that many T-Mobile employees are very happy working for T-Mobile without having an official union/CWA representation. There is only a very small group of T-Mobile employees formed with the CWA. So, there is no indication that a Sprint/T-Mobile merger would mean a CWA involvement in the combined company. Although, it might make things easier for the CWA having some sway with a larger combined company. Still not guaranteed though.
  17. Good thing there is an updated report on the situation and I'm glad to see this. I really didn't think there would be such a sudden cancellation of a deal that has been such an important thing to Masa, and it will take Softbank's board to override him on it to keep him from pursuing the deal, unless something better comes along. Again, I really can't see Softbank spending the money on Sprint network investments the way many of us, including myself, would like to have happen. To Robert, I really do understand what you've been saying. I may not have worded my posts right before about what you've written, but again I generally agree with you about your point. My only difference with it is in mentioning the news articles pointing out the contrary. I figured I'd expand on your perspective to use the opportunity to mention the discrepancies in the news and how some common sense thinking, such as not expecting an official announcement to a closure of a deal that hasn't even been announced to begin with shouldn't necessarily be expected, regardless of the news reports. Its because of this, that I wouldn't necessarily trust the news reports about the deal even being over. When there are so many different reporting on other issues, can we really completely trust what is being reported, even about Sprint? However, I don't want that to mean I'm completely denouncing the news, as there still is some value in it, just that it takes some looking through and using logic to figure out what is probably true and what is not. I figure the same when it comes to the issue of having an official announcement of the deal, or closure of it.
  18. I understand that Robert, and generally I agree with that. You may even be right about that, but it does conflict with the news reports on it. At this point though, I don't really trust these news reports, as there really isn't any indication from Softbank either way, like you said. However, the news is what it is, being a source for the public to know whats going on in the world and such. Therefore, even if the news is wrong on some accounts, as I believe there is in this situation, there is some truth there still. Such as there may be some disagreement in the negotiations, but whether or not its enough to cancel them and if such is going to be announced, well that is up for debate.
  19. Typically this makes sense to most things... However, several news reports were stating there would be some sort of official announcement from Softbank/Sprint proclaiming the cancellation of the merger attempt, expected on Tuesday. Obviously though nothing official was announced from them, nor even from DT/T-Mobile. So, either Robert is correct here and the news reports were wrong to state there'd be an official announcement, or else the merger talks are still ongoing. My guess is that the discussions about the merger are still happening. I really doubt Masa is going to drop the deal. If anything stops it prior to going by the regulators, it'll be either Softbank's board overriding Masa somehow, or DT decides against a deal with Sprint.
  20. Neither do I, still. So I wouldn't believe the deal is totally off yet, until there is some sort of official word about it. TmoNews hasn't updated their site with anything either since yesterday's update regarding the CNBC article. True there may be an end to this, but what I'm still thinking is no, there isn't going to be one so soon after all this time of trying to make a deal. Its very possible that there are terms both sides might be fighting over, but consider this everyone. Masa could have invested in Sprint heavily these past few years, but chose not to do so while waiting to get this merger deal done. All this, despite our hopes for an improved Sprint, things haven't been good for Sprint in terms of customer losses overall, granted things have improved lately in that regard due to the recent promotions. I take all of this as an indicator that Masa really wants this to happen, unless a better deal elsewhere comes to place, but all in all it doesn't look good for what most of us want for Sprint, which is more spending on the network. Due to all the time invested on mergers and not on the network build, has me very skeptical about the reports claiming Softbank's sudden interest in network spending on Sprint.
  21. I went to check on MarketWatch using a Google search, but I'm not seeing any official report yet. Any links?
  22. I'm going to make a bold prediction that this merger is still ongoing, but of course I may very well be wrong about it and I know many of you hope the deal will be dead. I can't blame any of you who want it over, and in much the same way I agree, with the exception of a small bit of my wanting this to happen so that Softbank's control diminishes and allows DT/T-Mobile more control, along of course with the spectrum advantages. However, I'm still very much with those of you who want Sprint to finance its network and become stronger with more density/deployment of its spectrum. The issue I have with that though is Softbank's commitment to Sprint I can't count on anymore. I was for a long time waiting on them to help Sprint build, at which time I'd consider switching back to Sprint, but since that hasn't happened I'm left wondering if Sprint wouldn't be better off with another company. T-Mobile, despite its flaws and the issues I have with John Legere, I still believe Sprint would be much better off with T-Mobile than Softbank, unless Softbank really truly would show a committment to financing Sprint development. However, I just don't have faith they will. I think that is the question we all should consider about this issue, and even if DT/T-Mobile isn't the choice, would another company still be better controlling Sprint than Softbank at this point?
  23. Hopefully that will change with the iPhone X. I'd hate to be having connection problems on the device, especially considering the cost of it, despite the discounts T-Mobile is offering to me. Engadget reports that Apple might be dropping Qualcomm, so Intel ought to be making sure their modems perform better. https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/31/apple-qualcomm-iphone-chips/
  24. I really do not like Qualcomm, both due to the various business practices I've read about online and their general strategy of releasing underperforming chipsets in contrast with Apple devices. Its something I've been following for quite some time and have dreaded having to own a device with their chip just to get the emulator apps Android has, which I've also greatly disliked using Android. It all figured into my decision to just drop having emulator compatibility on my phone, rather get a portable gaming laptop instead, then switch fully over to Apple iPhone. I really don't mind if iPhone uses the Intel modem anyways, as its not like I'll be able to get over 300 mbps wirelessly over mobile anytime soon as it is.
  25. Update : TmoNews now is reporting that CNBC is claiming the deal is not off the table, but there are concerns in the negotiations : https://www.cnbc.com/2017/10/30/sources-sprint-t-mobile-deal-struggling-with-governance-and-pricing-issues.html https://www.tmonews.com/2017/10/softbank-end-t-mobile-sprint-merger-negotiations/ So, time will tell. For Sprint's sake, this merger is a great deal of importance, unless Softbank actually is serious in spending money on the network. Do I believe Sprint wants to improve the network? Yes I do, and I trust that Sprint wants to grow. Do I believe Softbank really is going to support Sprint? No, not at all. However, as much I dislike alot of things about John Legere, I definitely believe he would help Sprint succeed alot more than what Softbank is doing.
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