AT&T and T-Mobile attempting a merger

[Crystallas]

It hasn't happened yet, but the FTC so is leaning to allow the merger.

Just FYI, regardless of your carrier, this merger will affect you.

The goal is to bring up AT&T and T-Mobile's national coverage from 86% to 98% whole. A non-subsidized venture(100% funded within the two companies.)

There is good and bad to this happening, maybe more harm than good(lower competition, raise prices.) But the bigger they get, the more vulnerable they are, so as long as you don't flat out support the merger based on their claims(98% coverage) and see the other side(their lobbying power grows to control regulations and stifle the growth for non-elite competitors). We'll be okay.

 

[X]

AT&T-Mobile?

 

[Crystallas]

AT&T-Mobile?

Just AT&T is my guess. AT&T historically plays a game where they deflate their value, make it look like the rival was stronger in a merger, and then consume the business. But I have my own conspiracy theories on AT&T and their powers within the economy beyond that of their rights, developments, productions and services.

 

[derosabomb]

i dont care about this shit lets talk about something that actually matters!ll something like the T-Mobile GIRL!!!

 

[Scoot26]

This merger was news months ago wasnt it?

 

[Crystallas]

This merger was news months ago wasnt it?

Speculation, yes, but right now it is in the works. They met with the Senate today. (I know, I'm a nerd for watching CSPAN.)

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

So basically..

AT&T didn't actually do any upgrades to their network.. They are just buying T-Mobile..

I kinda figured that.

 

[Scoot26]

Speculation, yes, but right now it is in the works. They met with the Senate today. (I know, I'm a nerd for watching CSPAN.)

It was pretty much announced on March 20th. Like most mergers they take months to complete.
AT&T Buys T-Mobile: Great For Them, Bad For You | News & Opinion | PCMag.com

And of course the FTC has to approve it. Which they will with ease.

In another 10 years, everyone will be on AT&T mobile. AT&T will have the laws changed so they can officially have their monopoly back that they had from 1885-1980.

 

[Crystallas]

As long as the government does not subsidize them or pass favorable regulations, the monopoly will mean nothing like it did for Ma Bell.

However, as a majority in a controlled market supportive of neo-keynesian methods, it has never been proven to keep business out of bed with government. Therefore, if we want to welcome any potential monopolies, we would need an economic policy that keeps the big guy vulnerable to the little guy that has little or no access to the cookie jar.

However, after watching the first hearing, I am sold that only a few committee members are going to disallow the merger, and the majority will allow it. It was disgusting to me, because the conversations in front of the board had already opened the idea of allowing some backdoor deals between special benefits for states, and beneficial free services to select members. Both parties were making these deals by the way. Al Franken sounded like a total idiot when he tried to decipher the mobile communications jargon, but at bare minimum, he voiced the monopoly concerns loud and clear.

You are right for pointing out AT&T and their practices. Like I said before, I am extra skeptical when it comes to AT&T and mergers. They are masters at demolishing a company for the sake of their growth, and hiding between the lines like pros.

 

[Crystallas]

So basically..

AT&T didn't actually do any upgrades to their network.. They are just buying T-Mobile..

I kinda figured that.

None of this has happened yet. AT&T has made upgrades to a small coverage area in the country on LTE bands. But that doesn't mean you can access it from wherever. In fact, AT&T has the most garbled compatibility and band ranges of all top tier providers. They haven't finished cleaning up the mess from acquiring Cingular! Let alone the mess that would be made now!

I'm not an advocate for Verizon, or any provider(I use Sprint right now). But I'll say this much, Verizon's new ever 2 plan was genius, because it allows them to clean up their mess. Everyone who has tried a similar program, did so for matching the competition, and not to maintain the infrastructure.

 

[Scoot26]

As long as the government does not subsidize them or pass favorable regulations, the monopoly will mean nothing like it did for Ma Bell.

However, as a majority in a controlled market supportive of neo-keynesian methods, it has never been proven to keep business out of bed with government. Therefore, if we want to welcome any potential monopolies, we would need an economic policy that keeps the big guy vulnerable to the little guy that has little or no access to the cookie jar.

See thats what I feel will happen is that they will pass favorable regulation. To me a lot of it will start with net neutrality in a sense a law will be passed in complete favor of companies like AT&T and Comcast. (Granted thats more internet than mobile, but I think it applies to both)

You are right for pointing out AT&T and their practices. Like I said before, I am extra skeptical when it comes to AT&T and mergers. They are masters at demolishing a company for the sake of their growth, and hiding between the lines like pros.

My dad has essentially worked for AT&T since 1980 (When it broke up he then worked for Illinois Bell, which became Ameritech, which became SBC, which then became AT&T again). So I know what they're all about and what they spend their time doing.

 

[tbo41fan]

Iphone to t-mobile!

 

[Tyler Juranovich]

The majority of complaints have been aimed at the fact that people are scared/worried that this merger will result in less competition and thus we'll have rising prices, harming the consumer.