22 Mar
This is the second in the two-part series, so ONLY post your opposition of the merger here.
If you wish to voice your support, please use the comments in the “Why do YOU support the merger” post…
Comments are open, so what’s the story, guys?
[...] you wish to voice your opposition, please use the comments in the “Why do YOU oppose the merger” [...]
This is the second in the two-part series, so ONLY post your opposition of the merger here. If you wish to voice your support, please use the comments in the “Why do YOU support the merger” post… Comments are open, so what’s the story, guys?
This is a two-part series, so ONLY post your support of the merger here. If you wish to voice your opposition, please use the comments in the “Why do YOU oppose the merger” post… Comments are open, so what’s the story, guys?
© 2012 Stop the T-Mobile / AT&T Merger. All Rights Reserved.
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ATT and T-Mobile are only two GSM provides with nationwide coverage. This merge will create absolute monopoly on the GSM network. Many people have to use GSM so their phones will work abroad as well. I have T-Mobile and one of these many people.
I do not understand argument about “improved coverage”. T-Mobile networked covered pretty much any place I used my phone across US. Let’s say ATT covered village A and T-Mobile village B. So ATT argues that merged carrier will cover both A and B. And who would need coverage across all villages in US? Some sort of farm equipment salesmen?
Verizon supports the merge. obviously this underscores that competition will be reduced and all customers will suffer.
ATT known for its bad service and shitty network. What other choices of GSM network I have? Boost mobile?
Finally how can I retaliate to ATT? i.e. can I buy discounted 3G phone with 2 years contract right before ATT will take over, cancel contract after ATT cancels 3G and sell phones on ebay at profit?
You fool! Boost Mobile is a prepaid service offered by Sprint, and thusly operates on the CDMA 2000 1x standard. I’m talking underlying air interface here, data notwithstanding (EV-DO Rev. A)
That mistake invalidates your whole non-sensical, rambling comment.
On that note, so that you avoid any confusion in the future, why don’t you purchase my telecom dictionary? It’s considered the de facto resource in the industry.
The first cell phone I ever had was Bell South Mobility; they had decent coverage, and good customer service. Then they were Cingular — and then they were AT&T, and hideous customer service drove me to Voicestream, which became T-Mobile. They have had had decent coverage, and somewhat okay customer service. I gave AT&T another try several years ago, when they offered a thirty-day free trial of their service—it was execrable. To make matters worse, after I cancelled the service (after 8 days), I continued to be billed—ever-increasing bills each month, ’till they were over $700.00 I did not get this problem resolved until the state attorney general filed a class-action lawsuit against AT&T.
I will never use AT&T — If the “merger” is approved, I will find some other carrier.
ATT is the worst communication company in America half their operators are in other countries. The have the worst customer service Representative in the universe. i have no intention of being apart of a company that does not respect America’s and only consider how much money they can make by giving piss poor service.
I have been a ATT customer inadvertantly when they took over SUNCOM, cellular one and cingular. I left when I realized how much their customer service sucked. I HAVE BEEN A TMOBILE customer ever since. I love tmobile services from their ever improving coverages great phones and most outstanding customer service. I am devastated that I will be joining att again because of this merger. I hope that tmobile can deal with another company ie Digicel or restructure as a small american company with what I appreciate most AMERICAN CUSTOMER SERVICE that is wonderful cordial and professional.
I had AT&T for years and was forced by them to switch to another carrier when my phone died last year. They refused to upgrade me a few weeks earlier than I was scheduled so I could get an iPhone or Android phone. The only phone they would allow me to upgrade to was a basic camera phone, stating their contracts with Apple and other smart phone manufacturers. I got this same song and dance from both the store reps and from the customer service line.
This issue aside, I would never support this merger due to the fact that it reduces competition and removes one of the top companies from the playing field. T-Mobile is always tops in customer service and satisfaction. I never have problems with coverage or service and have very few dropped calls and most of the time when I do have dropped calls it’s with friends on the AT&T network and it was their phone that caused the drop.
I have no doubt this is simply a ploy from AT&T to get a better network since their 4G coverage is virtually non-existent and because of the lower pricing T-Mobile has for it’s data usage. Since Verizon is new to my area, I know very little about them, but I’d hate to have to switch again.
I am afraid what is going to happen is that after the merger the AT&T giant will be as bad on customer service, innovation and offer higher priced plans as they did before the merger. They had a bad attitude towards service excellence before the merger, why should it change after the merger?
At least the regulators who have to approve the merge will ensure that smaller companies will be allowed concessions from AT&T who will then offer better service and prices of plans. Like Net10, they won the JD Power award for service excellence 2 years in a row.
So I’m going to use Net10 prepaid plans for the next 1.5 – 2 years so that I can control my costs, as their plans are cheap and have no extra hidden charges or cancellation fee’s and then I’m going to see what the 2 cell phone giants offer in their new world.
AT&T and verizon rules much of the pricing as of now but its these T-mobile for GSM and Sprint for CDMA that has helped most of US to save on our mobile bills. If this merger is done than the day is not far that we all will pay big money going in all directions and there would be no good choice to save on our bills. looking at plans from AT&T and Verizon they have almost similar pricing to each other thus they don’t compete with each other, they work together and people suffer. So please tell all the FCC people, either help people or shut down the FCC if everything is gona be the companies ways and not people’s
On the basic level of the average Joe consumer, AT&T is higher priced and controlling.
AT&T does throttle their data service speeds so the consumer does not get what it pays for due to AT&T’s attempt at pushing profits higher.
A simple comparative for T-Mobile & AT&T. One plan on T-Mobile to include calls, text, data, tether is $45 cheaper on
T-Mobile and T-Mobile offers more on service. More minutes, text, etc. for the closest exact plan to AT&T.
AT&T claims net neutrality, yet they control the network and all data within as though it’s their’s not the consumers.
The first move AT&T will do is to claim the T-Mobile is not compatible with their network and force T-Mobile users to by AT&T phones.
Even though they sell the same phones.
This will be only to get them out of their plan in order to charge them more money. If the compatibility statement is true,
then why the buyout? T-Mobile offers unlimited txt and data at $30/mth. AT&T’s closest item is 4G at $45/mth and text at $20/mth = $65. More than double.
I suggest AT&T take the $39 billion for the “buy out”, the $6 billion more they claim is needed for integration, the $200 million they spent last year on lobbyist
(estimating what they will spend this year on lobbyist), and BUY the so called need spectrum they oh so desire and upgrade their network.
They already have spectrum they aren’t using! (see the buy out involving AT&T in the last couple of years).
While I understand consolidation is a fact of life in most industries, this merger does nothing but resurrect Ma Bell and huts vendors and consumers in the process. In May of last year, the FCC in it’s own report on wireless industry competition found that the industry was “not effectively competitive.”
Nor does this have any merit for AT&T. AT&T clearly doesn’t need the customer base, nor do they need the towers or the base stations that AT&T and T-mobile overlap on. The only thing they get is spectrum which hopefully at the very least the FCC will take back all of their spectrum and give it to smaller operators, and thats the real problem; the FCC doled out the 700mhz bands to the highest bidder. Mostly to AT&T and Verizon. Which leaves us with only three companies that have the spectrum to offer 4G service. Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint/Nextel/Clearwire. Thats a lot of concentration in any market and what happens to players like MetroPCS and Leap? More M/A activity?
Then what happens to my already ridiculous $100 a month phone bill, for one phone?
I was fooled into upgrading to the new Kin phone and I just can’t stand it. How the hell did this thing get in a package, in a store, and into my hands?
BAD AT&T!
___________________________________
Sent From my Microsoft KinPhone
I am completely against this merger because it would definitely create a duopoly(AT&T & Verizon)!!! Too much control left in the hands of 2 companies whereas they would basically be able to do whatever they wanted!!
I think history speaks volumes more than words. What has ATT demonstrated with its history?
Less than 1st (or 2nd) class service. Atrocious considering it’s 2nd/1st place in the market.
Less than value to the customer. In addition to the aforementioned service, there’s the QOS (Quality OF Service) in terms of call clarity and stability. MIND YOU, this is MA bell who owns the lion’s share of the trunk lines connecting remote cell towers.
The spectrum argument is BS. Spectrum would only be an issue in very dense areas OR PERHAPS in a scenario where people are using cells as a replacement for their home cable/internet service.
T-Mobile offers unlimited cell and data at a very affordable price which is a HUGE threat to ATT.
Att recently went to a tiered data plan (similar to the pay per minute plans that had been going extinct in favor of unlimited nationwide “minutes”). In addition, they (and verizon) are charging a premium for tethering – something free under T-Mobile.
The bulk of consumers don’t know what they’re losing with this merger because they have yet to realize the cost of their plans as cell usage becomes more data-centric (as opposed to minutes/texts as they now are).
The future IS replacing your home cable or DSL (wired) service with a wireless cell service.
By allowing this merger, you’re allowing the type billing that ATT now offers with U-VERSE.
VERY EXPENSIVE!!!!!! and tiered so you have to pay a LOT for services you don’t want just to get the few you DO want.
ATT is merely setting the stage and again, ATT has a track record and history of under-delivering and overcharging.
we deserve a choice, and competition is what makes this market healthy and fair for the consumer. i will NOT support a company that can’t handle their current customer base effectively or efficiently.
I had a iPhone 3G on AT&T and was paying about $120 a month for the service with text messaging after taxes.
I am actually very surprised (and happy) with T-Mobile. My service costs $79 and change per month for my T-Mobile program and email on android. I can even do video conferencing, which I didn’t think I’d use, much, but damn it’s cool.
I save $960 over two years, plus the service, well, works! My roommates both have AT&T iPhones and get system busy or dropped call messages after 5:00 during the week because the towers are full.
If AT&T ends up gobbling up T-Mobile, I really don’t want to pay more for the service I’m getting right now. If I have to go back to paying $120 a month for less features, I’ll definitely have to find something else.
I like the SIM card thing too which is handy.
Consumer Reports rates AT&T at the *bottom*…..T-Mobile isn’t far behind.
Who thought that combining The Worst with the Next Worst would bake something better…..I fail to see the logic in that.
What were they smoking when they came up with *this* idea?
ATTFAIL 2.0
an AT&T/T-Mobile merger would be a Bad Thing…..for EVERYBODY…..including AT&T
The merger between AT&T and T Mobile may indeed increase cellular coverage, and create greater revenue to improve communication infrastructures. However, it will also increase AT&Ts arrogance, regarding pricing and customer attitudes. Moreover, one can easily argue that there will be a monopoly for all Americans traveling over-seas. AT&T and T-Mobile are the only significant 3G companies for cellular telephone service in Europe and much of Asia.
AT&T has earned a reputation for being obnoxious to their customers. Look at how many I phone customers were just waiting to jump ship for Verizon. This is just a really bad idea.
I used to do business with AT&T. Once I moved to T-Mobile I realized what lousy service AT&T really was.
I will not be an AT&T customer, ever.
This purchase needs to be stopped.
I left att also and will never go back. I left them for cingular and left them again years later for t mobile. I like t mobile alot, no contract, decent phones and great service. I refuse to get stuck with att again. They bully and threaten you as a customer and deny you the ability to get phones at descent prices unless you sign more contracts and pay fees etc. I will not do it. I ll go to cricket if i have to.
I oppose this merger for it will mean the disappearance of the delightfully cute pink dress girl.
In the past this merger would not even register as possible – any economic measure of market concentration would void the possibility.
Southwestern Bell’s adoption of the ATT brand speaks volumes for their ultimate goal – monopoly.
We were so happy to be rid of AT&T and be dealing with a company with excellent customer service. We went by the AT&T store and were hardly helped, and what help we got was poor and disinterested in ensuring that we got the package we really needed as opposed to their maximizing their profit on the package with add-ons and un-explained extras. What a night and day experience with the folks at T-Mobile – we walked out of there with nice new phones that everyone in my family liked, we were actually going to be saving money and enjoying more services, and when I had to come back a few days later with some questions and to finalize some post-purchase details and our salesperson wasnt’ there, the other two salespeople also took exceptional care of us. That was two months ago. Now this merger looms – we’ll be back to the same lousy customer service and support and higher cost, plus stuck in our two-year contract. Also, is anyone pointing out that AT&T is a HUGE financial contributor of the telecoms to political campaigns? Now you know where your payments are going, probably to candidates friendly to AT&T and not YOU. And because of those millions of dollars of campaign contributions and funding of lobbyists, you can pretty much count on this merge maybe looking tough to push through the FCC, but they’ll eventually get their way, sadly. Maybe consider switching to CREDO Mobile, which uses the Sprint system – you get Credo’s customer service, and Sprint’s network. We’d thought about it, but liked the local T-Mobile brick-and-mortar to deal with. Good luck with this campaign.
I signed a contract with T-Mobile. Happily.
I signed a contract with a company that offered brilliant novel technologies, who offered excellent customer service, and who offered better service fees than any of their competitors.
I have been with T-Mobile for about a decade. Every time my contract goes up for renewal, I compare options with other carriers, but I always stay with T-Mobile. It is simply the best.
I did not sign a contract with At&T. I did not sign up for bottom of the barrel customer service. I did not sign up for poorly maintained and woefully overwhelmed networks.
I signed my contract because I liked the features it came with, particularly native support for WiFi calling and portable hotspots.
Now I am likely t be held my contract despite the fact that I will lose every reason I signed up for. My network will turn to crap. My customer service will turn to crap. I will lose all of the features I signed on to use (and use heavily).
I am opposed to the merger because it screws every single T-Mobile user out there, just so At&T can build a bigger monopoly and force our hands for more of our hard-earned money.
ATT has bullied its customers for decades. Only after anti trust suits, consumer threats of suits did they reduce their practises. Do you remember cramming? The practise of sending consumers stuff they didn’t order and threatening to damage their credit if they didn’t pay it on time. Offering horrendous customer service, if you could get a hold of anyone with a concience to help return the item. (Nothing like filling out a credit app showing your disposible income ect to people like these.)They held up telecommunication progress for decades in congress. It was only after congress refused att and allow the start up companies and foriegn companies to offer cell phone plans in the nation. Look at your health care plan, its premium, and what your employer chips in, and you’ll see what happens to an industry when two or three companies are allowed to dominate a business sector.
0
AT&T: Worst Coverage. Worst Customer No-Service. Worst pricing. Worst data rates. Worst of everything. Need I say more?
tmobile is a lot worst then AT&T I only get E on my cell phone not 3G and alot of my calls have droped and my data stick will not work on AT&T only Tmobile network I hope this will go to be AT&T if they buy out Tmobile so my data stick will start working on AT&T and AT&T is on the same network as Tmobile GSM network
We’re apparently worth $1,147 to at&t – cuz that’s what they’re paying for us individually. Make your voice heard – spread the links, get together – unite. So together we can stop this abomination.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/5/stop-the-att-t-mobile-sale/
I have had T-mobile for 9 years now. It’s because the price is right. I have 4-cell phone lines, and I am saving atleast $30 per month compared with AT&T.
I have internet (DSL) with local phone service with AT&T, there was no other choice. My bill keeps on increasing! At&t just keep on increasing the service price on both plans and sometimes moves me to higher price plan without my consent. I am looking at alternates to ditch AT&T.
This merger is bad deal. It is clear most customers (tax payers) do not want this and their wishes should be heard!
Less competition means less innovation and higher prices. This is why the people of America must stop this nonsense from happening. Infact, I wish to suggest that all T-mobile customers write to their congress memebers and tell them not to support this merger.
The merger will likely eliminate the jobs of the roughly 40,000 T-Mobile USA employees. Including mine.
As a consumer who purchases only unsubsidized (full price), unlocked handsets, I want to be able to choose with whom I purchase service from. This merger will eliminate that choice for me. T-Mobile and AT&T are the only two national GSM carriers. GSM is my only option as I need voice and data simultaneously. (This is not an option on CDMA carriers like Verizon and Sprint). Also in AT&T’s own presentation on the matter, one of their points is higher ARPU (average revenue per user). This does not bode well for those enjoying the lower prices we enjoy currently on T-Mobile. Don’t even get me started on AT&T’s data bucket of 2GB versus T-Mobile’s 5GB (soft cap) per month…
The AT&T service is overpriced, its terrible everywhere. The only reason ppl want it is because of the Iphone. I personally will not stay with them if this sale goes thru, I have 4 accounts and 9 phones alone in one house. Tmobile has great service and great deals and wonderful ppl. AT&T is nothing, they want Tmobile in hopes that they can have the great quality we have. It won”t happen
There is nothing good that would come of this merger. The customers will suffer and there will be no price control. Only having one GSM provider in the US is a bad idea. There would be no competition and no incentive for AT&T to innovate and bring customers new products. They will just hang on to the iPhone for as long as it is viable. T-Mobile customers will be forced into the AT&T price model which is more expensive and will experience less reliable customer service.
I am currently an AT & T customer who is looking to switch to another carrier. Verizon is not an option because the pricing is too high for my blood (Like AT& T). T-Mobile has better data plans and customer service than either of the two larger carriers. But, it is monopoly (no choice) that has me worried the most. This “no choice” results from capitalism left unchecked with no regard for its weaknesses (and its strengths). Proper regulation and respect for these weaknesses in the system (hopefully the FCC steps in at some point) could alleviate this problem). I now leap from my soapbox and say ta ta!
AT&T locks down their devices. Disabling tether in the iPhone for months and taking away one of Android’s best features, the installation of nonMarket apps. They have reduced their data plans to the all but worthless 2gigs. T-Mobile is a value brand, AT&T is not. The sad fact is that many T-Mobile customers will most likely not even be able to afford AT&T’s service.
There is a Facebook protest group as well:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_202136669816243
I was dragged into the AT&T family when they acquired Cingular. I was shocked at the level of rudeness and complete unwillingness to help by their “customer service” department. This was not isolated, this was standard practice over three years. Any issue I had that required me to call them would take a minimum of three separate calls to resolve. Each call would take nearly an hour.
AT&T is very predatory with their plans and “rollover” minutes as well. I ended up on a plan that had my rollover bank at 2800+ minutes every month. I called them to lower my basic plan as it was clear we were oversubscribed. The change was initially refused. They acquiesced on the second call, but only on the condition that 2500 of my rollover minutes (which I had ALREADY PAID FOR) would be negated. I threatened legal action if they attempted to take away any part of the pool of minutes I had ALREADY PAID FOR and they backed off. I was left with the intact pool and the lower plan, but my account was notated that I could never change my plan mid-contract again for any reason.
I left AT&T at the conclusion of that contract and came to T-Mobile. I have had ZERO problems or complaints with T-Mobile from day one.
If this merger is allowed to go through, I will pay an early termination fee the moment the first AT&T bill comes. I will NOT be dragged back into that cesspool again.
When I was there during the merger they allowed people out of their contracts if they didn’t want to stay. I’m hoping this is the same for us.
I am totally against this merger. This will create a monopoly over GSM and at&t will be able to charge whatever they want. Of course Verizon wants it because it means they will have a better chance of taking over Sprint because this will kill them.
I used to work for at&t and I was there for the big at&t cingular merger and for the smaller Dobson merger. Both times we screwed over the consumer. They said oh keep your plans we will allow it. Then they say oh you need a new phone well you have to upgrade and go to a more expensive plan. For those that continued with their old phones they cut their warranty off and removed their insurance. People found used or unlocked phones and at&t cut their internet and mms. They couldn’t use their phones overseas and their coverage area dropped to almost nothing. Don’t trust a word they say.
When I was there they talked about how they wanted to have just Verizon as their only competition and how price plans would be under their control. They will raise our prices and tighten their control. They don’t like people that are not profitable and will cut them off. Internet and text are pure profit to them and they feel that if you don’t message or use the internet then they don’t want you. They knew that the iphone was causing trouble with their network and they told us to lie. We couldn’t blame the network for the crappy service we had to find other reasons as to why their phones were not working.
The government split old ma bell apart a long time ago and all they want to do is get back together and stick it to the consumer.
I also think about the T-Mobile employees because I know the majority of them will be kicked out the door. 40 thousand or more employees will be cut which doesn’t help the economy. at&t prefers to outsource almost everything. They keep a few call centers open here in the US but everything else is in India. Don’t think their union will help either because they are in bed together and don’t help anyone except themselves.
I will not stay with them. I pay $200 a month with T-Mobile and my money will go to a better provider that treats their employees and customers with respect. If it doesn’t go through then I will stay because I love T-Mobile and their services. I don’t mind a T-Mobile Sprint merger. I know it would be difficult but it’s better than the deathstar getting their hands on them.
Like so many others, I find that AT&T customer service and basic plans and services suck. If it wasn’t for that freakin’ I-Phone nobody would use this sorry excuse for a telecommunications company. If this merger goes though I will definately leave T-Mobile. No If, Ands or Buts.
I would like state one more time:
AT&T SUCKS!!!!!
Does anyone not remember when ATT was forced to de-monopolize the industry? How soon the FCC forgets? Does giant corporate failure not scare anyone? I don’t want a part of it, ATT SUCKS!
I do not like AT&T’s customer service or expensive plans.
Experience. Far as I could tell AT&T allowed a 3rd party business to randomly charge my account. I got the run-around for a sudden $13 increase, so I ditched the AT&T land line and got a T-Mobile cell years ago. One experience with corrupted security/non-existent fraud service is a good reason for me to stay far, far away from AT&T. I’ll just find another pay-as-you go company or try Verizon again.
I have been loyal to T mobile for the last 10 years and now this is a sad news, I love the T mobile service, competitive prices, and never had communication problems that they can not resolve.
If AT&T will provide the same plans, price and service then I can stay, I do not want any change on my plan, service and great customer service. If you can do better then let’s talk..
I had AT&T as my first ever cell provider years ago. After a year of horrible service I left them. I called to cancel and the guy actually said ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO LEAVE, YOU WON’T GET THIS LEVEL OF SERVICE ANYWHERE ELSE.
Sorry, comment cutoff.
And I said to him “Are you kidding me??? I’ve been on hold for over an hour to disconnect. I’m NEVER coming back to you guys!”
And now, if this whole bullstuff goes through, I’m just not sure what I’m going to do. Go to Verizon? Sprint? Neither is very good.
Hell NO WE WON’T GO!
Loyal T-mobile costumer since I switched my multi-line account over from AT&T after they bought out Cingular. I had a horrific experience with AT&T phone and customer service. T-mobile’s costumer service is impeccable (not including the non-contract customer service reps because they’re Horrible!) I even know people who have worked for both companies At&t and T-mobile on different levels, and I have heard Employees from AT&T and T-Mobile speak of the company and the ones from AT&T are unhappy and the ones from T-Mobile always seem to be content and excited about the company and products. That says a lot!
If AT&T Buys-out T-MOBILE I’m going to go to MetroPCS. I’m tired of everything always changing. I’ve been with T-MOBILE for so long and now that I practically know everything there is to know and am comfortable with T-MOBILE, we now have to learn about all the new rules and restrictions etc that will magically cause some type of extra charges on my bill that I’ll have to deal with! These things always do more harm than good for the consumer!
SICK of IT!
UGHH … IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.. LIKE .. —-> SIMPLE MOBILE A SUBSIDY OF T-MOBILE UNDER AT&T WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE UNLIMITED DATA PLAN ENTIRELY PRIOR TO THIS NEW VERIZON WAS ONLY OFFERING IT FOR A LIMITED TIME HOW CAN A COMPANY TRY TO IMPROVE IT’S NETWORK TO ONLY APPLY LIMITATIONS THAT WILL RENDER A 4G LTE USELESS TO THE CONSUMER ..EX .-_-> 4G BRINGS FASTER SERVICE BUT WITH A CAPPED DATA PLAN WHICH IS AT 2GB OR 4GB WOULD ONLY MEAN YOU USE MORE DATA FASTER AND EXCEED YOU MONTHLY LIMIT FUNNY HOW WHEN THE IPHONE FIRST CAME OUT PEOPLE WERE GETTING THOUSAND DOLLAR BILLS SHORTLY AFTER ATT THEN STARTED OFFERING AN UNLIMITED PLAN TO COMPETE WITH T-MOBILE’S OFFER NOW THEIR NETWORK CANT HANDLE THE LOAD WHEN THEY WERE RAISING THE BAR ETC ETC ITS ALL BULLSHIT I SAY I COMPANIES LIKE VERIZON AND ATT NEW COMPETITION ITS NOT LIKE WERE TALKING ABOUT SPRINT BEING BOUGHT BY VERIZON BECAUSE IF IT WAS BOUGHT IT WOULDNT MATTER METRO PCS IS CDMA SO VERIZON WOULD JUST HAD TO COMPETE MORE BECAUSE IT WOULD A CARRIER ELIMINATED AND PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON THE ONLY OTHER COMPATIBLE NETWORK THERE NOW OTHER GSM NETWORK TO COMPETE WITH ATT STOP THIS MERGER IF THIS MERGER GOES THROUGH GET METRO PCS. BOOSTMOBILE . VIRGIN MOBILE. SPRINT.PLATNUMTEL. BUT DISCONNECT FROM ATT.. UNTILL THEY CHANGE THEIR WAYS
Hi! I’ve been a T-Mobile customer for 6 years now and I use their customer service often. The people are always courteous and helpful! I have been with other carriers in the past where that wasn’t the case. I have already e mailed the FCC about my concerns regarding this merger and think all T-Mobile customers should do the same. Just an idea!
Allowing T-Mobile to be purchased by ATT will great a GSM monopoly in the US. How could this benefit the consumer?
I chose T-Mobile because of all the bad experiences I have had with ATT over the last decade. I even jail broke an iPhone 3G, so that I wouldn’t have to use ATT !!!
Bigger is NOT better, it is worse for consumers and competition !!!
My first cell phone was Voicestream (before DT purchase and name change to T-Mobile). Wife changed our phones to Verizon and that lasted all of two weeks (lousy cell service) and we were back to T-Mobile.
I will not go to ATT. I have unlimited data on my Galaxy S, something ATT will not provide. Customer service and billing is another area that ATT falls short on. I could stomach a T-Mo/Sprint merger, but I will not go to ATT.
If ATT is after the spectrum, hope they enjoy it as there probably won’t be too many (former) T-Mo cutomers left post merger.
Guess I need to look at that Consumer Report issue to see how the providers stack up.
tmobile has nothing to gain from a merger but a lot to lose i have been with tmobile going on 8 years and havent had any problems at all with them. if they go through with this i will not be a customer anymore. everything i hear about at&t is bad. why risk all your customers for a little bit of money?
I am totally against this merger. I am really fed-up with these conglomerates which leave alot of people being laid off and prices rising. I have been a T-Mobile customer for years. I have no complaints with them at all. If I had wanted to go with AT&T, I would have. I have friends who have AT&T for their cell phones and they are not happy campers. It is time to STOP these corporations from taking over other companies.
I was an AT&T customer and due to extremely poor customer service, switched to T-Mobile after researching them. They are rated the highest in customer service. Therefore, I don’t understand why T-Mobile would even consider merging with AT&T! In my opinion, this would make people second guess their customer service and bring the their customer base down!! BAD MOVE, T-MOBILE. DON’T DO IT!!!
FCC if you care about service, competition, and the consumer- you can not allow this. tmobile- if you care about your bottom line, the quality that your company represents, and keeping your current base- DO NOT DO THIS MERGER. I love your service and the quality of your employees. I will leave your service and move to sprint, if you do this merger. it makes no sense.
I am not your average consumer. I chose to pay retail for the exact (unlocked) device that I wanted, then choose a compatible (GSM) carrier. I was initially looking at At&t, but they kept trying to force me into a contract with one of their “approved” devices. I was almost willing to accept the contract until they tried to tell me my device wasn’t compatible and that I would “have” to use one of their approved devices. I know for a fact the only incompatability is with their 3G frequency which is not even available in my area! I found T-mobile was particularly desireable because of their no-contract no-subsidy plans, and they had no issues with me using the device of my choice as long as it was GSM compatible. Once enrolled they simply sent me the sim card programmed for my device. No contract required and substantial monthly savings to boot.
The bottom line, At&t is looking to purchase the only good GSM alternative to their over-priced and over-controlled network. They want to buy all of the customers who do not want them as a provider in the first place. My girlfriend works as a contract customer service rep. for At&t. They have also aquired a lot of Alltel and Verizon customers in certain markets, and the majority of those customers are not happy at all with At&t’s policies and underhanded tactics, like aggressively trying to force new phones/contracts on those customers “by any means necessary”. At least they do offer the option to cancel service for these accounts without any early termination fee. I can assure you, that is the route I will most likely take. I don’t want to loose the use of the GSM device I chose, but I’m almost certain, since I don’t currently have a contract with T-mobile anyway, that they will eventually try and make me part with it.
If you want to make a difference, use the links on this site to write the Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice, and your US Representative and Senators. Below is what I wrote. The link is at the top of this page (“Get Involved”) or use this:
http://www.stopthismerger.com/get-involved/
You can send a message to all of them in just a few minutes.
I think it’s most effective if you give explicit objections point by point, but volume of people objection may be more important. The decision by the government to allow the merger or not may be more political than based on competition. Still, if you can object on anti-competition grounds (rather than just ranting about how awful AT&T is) that might be more effective.
Good luck.
- W
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I strongly oppose allowing AT&T to purchase T-Mobile’s US mobile phone business. This merger will be anti-competitive and give consumers fewer choices.
1. AT&T and T-Mobile are the only two national GSM carriers.
Combining the two will mean there is no competition among GSM carriers.
GSM lowers switching costs for someone who decides to change carriers. Due to competition from T-Mobile, AT&T will unlock its GSM phones. With an unlocked phone someone can easily switch carriers without having to get a new phone, and normally without having to lock into a new contract. Verizon and Sprint, the other two national carriers, do not offer phones which can be used on another carrier. This means that a customer has to buy a new phone to change carriers, imposing a significant switching cost.
GSM is also important for anyone who travels abroad, as most other countries use GSM. T-Mobile has been an important competitor in providing phones which work abroad as well as lower international roaming rates than AT&T charges.
Because the other national carriers do not offer GSM they cannot compete effectively with AT&T for the portion of the market which values GSM service.
2. Combining AT&T and T-Mobile will create a duopoly between AT&T and Verizon Wireless.
This would allow AT&T and Verizon to dominate the mobile phone market. Duopolies do not compete as effectively as markets which have more competitors. The two largest companies will be in a position to squeeze out smaller companies like Sprint.
For people who travel, the regional carriers do not provide effective competition for AT&T and Verizon. AT&T’s comments that most major markets have competition from several carriers is invalid. Many of the people who purchase services from one of the four existing national carriers will not consider smaller regional carriers because of they offer more limited coverage. It is critical that there are other national carriers to compete with AT&T and Verizon. It is a mistake to look at this on a city-by-city basis.
In addition, several of the smaller carriers do not have their own networks, but are dependent on reselling wireless service from one of the larger carriers. (Sprint being the main source for resold services.) These companies cannot be effective competitors for a two-carrier duopoly of AT&T and Verizon.
3. Choices of mobile equipment will be restricted.
Because most people in the US buy a mobile phone through their wireless carrier the carriers have enormous power over which phones are available to customers. Reducing the number of competitors will reduce the choices consumers have for wireless handsets, and likely increase their prices.
As an example, I use a Nokia phone originally sold by T-Mobile which was not offered by AT&T. AT&T eventually offered a similar model, but over a year later. Without T-Mobile the model might never have been offered for sale.
The US already arguably has a narrower offering of mobile phones than in other countries because we did not adopt a single national wireless standard. (In Europe the sale of phones is largely de-coupled from the choice of carrier and all carriers use one standard.) Allowing AT&T to buy T-Mobile will narrow handset choice in the US even more.
Please do not allow AT&T to purchase T-Mobile.
I really don’t like the merge I think it shouldn’t be allowed….having to chose from only 3 bad carries is gunna suck if it goes through….I love tmobile signal phones service and price and I really don’t want it to change. Please don’t allow this merge
I’ve used T-Mobile since 1996 when I moved to Germany. When I returned to the U.S. in late 2002 I was very pleased to learn T-Mobile had presence in the U.S. I have had the BEST customer service from T-Mobile – both in Germany and the U.S. I have easy to read statements, super-friendly and helpful customer service representatives, and good perks for being a long-time customer. I travel internationally and easily use my GSM phone in most parts of the world with no issues – I only had to rent a phone while in Japan, but could still use my SIM card. I think it is really sad Deutsche Telekom is in financial trouble and needs to sell. I hope an alternative to AT&T is found.
I specifically chose T-Mobile out of the competition years ago and I still stand by that choice today.
I once had Verizon and despised it. Actually, I began service with Bell Atlantic Mobile and was happy until Verizon took them over. Verizon consistently treated me rough-shod with billing problems, non-communication and disrespect, so I left.
My wife had Cingular, and was content. Then AT&T consumed Cingular and their customer service became poor as well as unexpected billing changes. She also felt compelled to take her business elsewhere.
My wife and I chose T-Mobile. They offered the best prices and the best plan features like unlimited T-Mobile-to-T-Mobile calls. T-Mobile also offered Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA), which means your cell phone can utilize any wi-fi access point as a local cell tower, meaning your phone can send and receive calls over wi-fi if ever local cell coverage is poor. No other cell carrier ever has or does offer this feature.
T-Mobile also offered T-Mobile@Home, which is their VOIP-like service to replace your land line. We bought that service because it was an unheard-of $10/month. Again, T-Mobile offered something the competition did not offer.
And on top of this, my experience with T-Mobile customer service has been pleasant and forthright. They have not been 100% perfect, but they nearly always treated my wife and I with respect, and we’ve never had billing problems.
I chose T-Mobile. I chose to not use AT&T. I chose to not use Verizon. Sprint is not a viable option for me, not is Metro-PCS. I have no other choices. I oppose the AT&T /T-Mobile merger because it explicitly limits my choice as a consumer and also destroys the power of choice I once had. I do not understand how the FCC would permit that.