is anyone pro-merger or indifferent?

[ArickInRealLife]

at first i was like i didn't want it at all. then i realized there wouldn't ever be a wait on getting the newest blackberrys and it should definitely improve network coverage (not that i ever have an issue with tmobile though)

i dont think its going to happen but honestly..... i wouldn't mind. i would still be paying HALF of what a regular att customer pays for the same exact coverage and service and not having to wait on the newest blackberry.

thoughts?

[raino]

Originally Posted by ArickInRealLife

it should definitely improve network coverage

Currently, AT&T and T-Mobile are on different 3G/"4G" GSM bands. Until a unified LTE deployment, improved coverage will be noticeable on the 2G networks only. Even then, it can be safely assumed that there's a no-roaming agreement between the two carriers, so you really aren't gaining much.

Originally Posted by ArickInRealLife

i would still be paying HALF of what a regular att customer pays for the same exact coverage and service

And how do you know AT&T is going to let you continue on your T-mobile plan forever? Here's what happened in my situation: I was a customer since 2001 AT&T Wireless (Cingular blue) days. Ever since the Cingular acquisition of ATTWS, I had been pressured to switch out of my rate plan into one of the newer and obviously more financially beneficial to AT&T. The reasons they would give me to switch ranged from downright ludicrous to bold face lies. Then last year, they finally decided to terminate the Cingular blue network and force those customers to the newer rate plans, and that's when I left. Long story short, after a while they were okay with letting THEIR OWN customers like me walk, what makes you think they'll be so accommodating to T-mobile customers?

And here are other reasons I'm against the merger:

1. HORRIBLE customer service at AT&T. Even though T-mobile's CS has gone downhill recently, at least reps haven't straight up lied to me.
2. AT&T actually used to pre-bill customers for next month's service. This practice may have now changed, but when I was a customer, I would be paying in advance for next month's service.
3. When has lesser competition actually benefited the consumer? AT&T itself has screwed it's own customers when AT&T Wireless was acquired by Cingular, which was then acquired by AT&T itself.

[DannyAves]

Originally Posted by ArickInRealLife

then i realized there wouldn't ever be a wait on getting the newest blackberrys

Isn't AT&T still without the latest BlackBerry 9900??

[D_March]

AT&T sucks in my opinion. They are controlling, expensive, and have bad customer service. Less competition is bad in my book. I have no interest in this merger happening. Somebody will most likely need to buy TMO US though because it seems clear the Germans are done with it.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Guatiao]

Ask Centennial customers in Puerto Rico, which was acquired by AT&T a bit more than a year ago... goodbye low prices, goodbye unlimited data, goodbye to other perks...

[condemned]

I don't support the merger and hope it doesn't go through. I've been on T-Mobile for more than 5 years now with no issues.

[condemned]

If it does go through then I'm sure we'll get grandfathered into our current plans. But I hope it doesn't. If T-Mobile goes, you can bet Sprint will soon be gone as well and idk if I like the sound of just two major carriers, both of which are more expensive.

[raino]

We may get grandfathered initially, but slowly they'll clamp down by eliminating options and trying to get you to switch.

For example, on the original AT&T Wireless, I had this great $10 for 300 outgoing texts+unlimited incoming texts bundle. When I tried to upgrade to a bigger texting bundle, I was told my only option was to either keep what I had, remove the feature and get charged per SMS, or switch to the newer plans so I had more options.

AT&T does not allow UMA calling, so that might be the first casualty of the merger. I have heard (not experienced myself) that they don't give out subsidy unlock codes that easily either. There are a number of other reasons all over the internet why this would be bad for the consumer.

[Tiassa]

MY hope is that the justice department (or which ever federal bureaucracy has to approve the merger) will make ATT divest enough T-mo customers that someone can pick up most of them and start a new GSM provider. I doubt this will happen, tho.

I went through the Sprint screw over, ummm. . . purchase of Nextel, and I'm pretty sure ATT will follow the same game plan:
Step 1: Let all the T-mo customers keep their phones and plans and say "nothing will change"
Step 2: Limit the phones that are supported, and refuse to repair or replace "T-mobile phones"
Step 3: Force people who need new phones to change over to ATT plans.

[condemned]

Everywhere I've been reading points that the merger won't happen. Awesome.

[BoldtotheMax]

Lets hope, problem with that though, who will want us? I am pretty sure we will be bought out by someone else as the Germans don't want us anymore.

So may seem God sent, or could be a clusterfawk if we aren't picked up.

Ultimately I hope Duestch Telecom decides to keep afloat.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[lobbyintx]

i'm against merger. att doesnt want to spend the $$$ upgrading their network and would benefit more by buying tmo.

[raino]

T-Mobile increases 21Mbps and 42Mbps HSPA+ footprint, blankets the nation in faux-G - Engadget

Now why would they be spending on infrastructure if they're hoping/going to be bought out by AT&T? Hmmmm...

[redk]

8cox communications should buy T-Mobile.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[watbetch]

I'm against the acquisition. AT&T will fleece T-Mobile and its subscriber's wallets. Not only that but AT&T is lying so much.. they get huge tax breaks, laid off thousands while raking in tons of cash.. etc. I'm sick of Verizon and AT&T getting over.