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[RyanDG]

All the old 3G and 4G phones for one network or the other will eventually stop working now. Probably not for a while, but it wouldn't even be possible if not for the merger.

Only for 3G services though. For basic 2G services, all of the phones will be cross compatible.

 

[br0ken_shad0w]

Fucking shit!

I don't want my only choice of a GSM phone to be fucking AT&T. Not to mention the price increases and shitty data plans (T-Mobile has one of the better data plans especially since they don't do overage charges).

 

[clav]

This is certainly a surprise. I thought Sprint wanted to acquire T-Mobile USA.

 

[kehs]

Right but future 3G/4G phones on each carrier would be able to take advantage of the combined network? Y/N?

Yup. The other advantage is world phones can actually be world phones in the US.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

I'm going to shoot myself.

Spoiler

Not really. But this fucking sucks donkey balls.

Guess I won't be renewing my contract when that time comes in less than a year. Hopefully Sprint will have some more high-quality Android devices next January.

 

[Crisis]

Right but future 3G/4G phones on each carrier would be able to take advantage of the combined network? Y/N?

There's only going to be one carrier out of the two.

 

[quaere]

Can I use this to get out of a T-Mobile contract?

 

[LyleLanley]

You think verizon will make the bid for sprint now?

I hope not. The telecom industry here is bad enough already with 4 companies running the show, we don't need it to get any smaller.

 

[mj1108]

I better be able to keep my grandfathered unlimited plans with this.... If not.....

 

[RyanDG]

Right but future 3G/4G phones on each carrier would be able to take advantage of the combined network? Y/N?

Yes, if they are built with the frequencies for both. At least until when (or if) one of the frequencies are shut down.

 

[giga]

From the press release:

AT&T and T-Mobile USA customers will see service improvements - including improved voice quality - as a result of additional spectrum, increased cell tower density and broader network infrastructure.

At closing, AT&T will immediately gain cell sites equivalent to what would have taken on average five years to build without the transaction, and double that in some markets. The combination will increase AT&T’s network density by approximately 30 percent in some of its most populated areas, while avoiding the need to construct additional cell towers. This transaction will increase spectrum efficiency to increase capacity and output, which not only improves service, but is also the best way to ensure competitive prices and services in a market where demand is extremely high and spectrum is in short supply.

It says both AT&T and T-Mobile customers will gain additional spectrum and cell towers. Crossing fingers for getting access to AT&T 3G frequencies!

 

[Y2Kev]

This is really fucking gigantic.

 

[NomarTyme]

.

 

[Gary Whitta]

This is bullshit. The FTC shouldn't approve this.

Allow me to introduce you to THE MAN. He always wins.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/the-onions-1997-man-of-the-year,822/

 

[Desperado]

free market something something

 

[BobLoblaw]

What. The. Fuck.

 

[numble]

So the fact that the two networks use different frequencies mean they can't merge and complement one another, right?

Well, they get access to a whole bunch of towers to stick new antennas onto (or just modify existing? I don't know how it works), and that should be a lot easier than looking for and purchasing real estate individually, and constructing the whole tower.

Edit: What giga posted. Really hope they allow that, but doesn't it take time to clear FCC?

 

[WickedAngel]

This is horrible news.

 

[SoulPlaya]

I just switched to T-Mobile from At&T due to fantastic prices!

 

[clav]

YES!

Joke response?

So much for the flowery girl advertising cheap prices in those recent T-Mobile commercials.

 

[Vilix]

Be aware that while AT&T is capable of faster speeds Verizon connectivity is considerably more reliable. At least that's what I read from the president of speed.net.

 

[sharkmuncher]

With all this extra infrastructure, you think they will lift those stupid artificial bandwidth caps?

Answer: Not a fucking chance

 

[LyleLanley]

If only Sprint used GSM.

 

[Kodiak690]

Does this mean that T-Mobile will likely no longer have unlimited data plans in the future? I was about to switch from AT&T to T-Mobile for that very reason.

 

[squicken]

My biggest problem with Dems/Reps when it comes to their pro-business stances. It's all when and good when you have a functioning free market, like a city with 500 cobblers. Not so much when there's 4 ISPs in the whole country.

 

[SolsticeZero]

This makes me so happy I switched to Sprint last year from T-Mobile. No way in fuck am I going to be with AT&T.

 

[Blackhead]

The FTC should kill this deal (and kill phone exclusivity while they are at it).

 

[ElectricThunder]

Wow, this is prime to cause issues in the near future and beyond.

I fear what manner of strangleholds on technology are to come even more...

 

[LyleLanley]

Does this mean that T-Mobile will likely no longer have unlimited data plans in the future? I was about to switch from AT&T to T-Mobile for that very reason.

People with unlimited plans from t-mobile will probably be grandfathered in.

 

[tenchir]

So the fact that the two networks use different frequencies mean they can't merge and complement one another, right?

The frequency for voice is the same, the frequency for the data is different. So it can semi merge. There shouldn't be as much dropped calls, but don't expect better download speed until new phones are out to take advantage of both att/tmobile data frequency.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

I just switched to T-Mobile from At&T due to fantastic prices!

No longer! And probably an end to tethering and effectively unlimited data too! Gosh, isn't the free market great? Options!

 

[Jamesfrom818]

I'm thinking about this all wrong. AT&T is going to be deploying LTE later this year. If I have an unlimited data plan with T-Mobile right now, I should be able to hang on to it until AT&T releases their LTE phones.

Be aware that while AT&T is capable of faster speeds Verizon connectivity is considerably more reliable. At least that's what I read from the president of speed.net.

LTE brah

 

[Seda]

People with unlimited plans from t-mobile will probably be grandfathered in.

For a year or so

 

[Pastry]

Solid decision on AT&Ts part. It looks like the gains from T-Mobile towers will be significant, it will be very interesting to see what eventually happens to T-mobile.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

For a year or so

And with device restrictions, no doubt.

 

[Gary Whitta]

As much as I loathe AT&T with the force of a supernova, this might actually convince me to stick with them if it really means their royally fucked coverage and service might actually improve. It's not like there's a lot of choice out there anyway.

 

[Azure Dream]

Shit. There goes data rates.

 

[gimmmick]

This is really fucking gigantic.

What's going to be the total number of customers ATT will have now? At least 120 million?

 

[Kodiak690]

People with unlimited plans from t-mobile will probably be grandfathered in.

Yeah, the only thing that gives me comfort is that they've honored the iPhone unlimited plans for so long. Maybe I should switch soon for that reason. Sprint and VZW are just too expensive and I HATE VZW.

 

[Ondore]

It's going to take 6+ months for this to be approved, but yeah T-Mobile customers better enjoy the ride while they got it.

Though if the management goes the same way they did during at&t's last major cell phone merger (2004, when it was Cingular and AT&T Wireless), you might be able to lock in a sick retention plan for 2 years before you have to switch.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

Right but future 3G/4G phones on each carrier would be able to take advantage of the combined network? Y/N?

If they built both sets of radios into them, which could drive costs up.

 

[Vanillalite]

Hey at least you get a larger group of customers for free mobile to mobile right?... right?

*SIGH*

 

[DMeisterJ]

So I guess the next step is for Verizon to pick up Sprint... Then we can have just two carriers.

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

That sucks for T-mobile subs.

 

[Gary Whitta]

So now what? Verizon buys Sprint and then LET THIS BE OUR FINAL BATTLE!

 

[Ridli]

Wow, just wow. Makes me wonder how long Sprint can hold out.

 

[clav]

So I guess the next step is for Verizon to pick up Sprint... Then we can have just two carriers.

Hope not. That would be an end to my smart phone use.

 

[Snipes424]

I don't understand how this can be legal. I thought for sure the government would step in and break up the telecom companies again, but I guess it's going the other way now.

 

[wenis]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo there goes everything...AT&T is going to turn my service into shit. PURE SHIT.

 

[eternaLightness]

Ugh. Just switched from at&t to tmobile late last year.