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Very interesting piece though weirdly doesn't mention Apple (at least as of right now, maybe he'll update?). Plus for Apple is access to more customers for iPho

by apress 16y ago

Very interesting piece though weirdly doesn't mention Apple (at least as of right now, maybe he'll update?). Plus for Apple is access to more customers for iPhone though right now T-Mobile 3G network is incompatible with GSM/3G version of iPhone. Downside is greater bargaining power of AT&T and Verizon as carrier space consolidates. But with regards to Google, it seems kind of silly to suggest tiny, market-share losing T-Mobile was all that stood between the carriers hijacking Android and nirvana. Google's biggest bargaining chip with carriers is the inclusion of very popular Google Android services like mapping, voice to text etc. And Verizon and AT&T seem pretty high on Android to prevent Apple from gaining too much sway. Lots more to come on this one...

alecperkins 16y ago
Hmmm it is funny that Apple isn't mentioned, given its influence in the hardware side. A general suspicion has been that Apple will open up the iPhone to other carriers with the next rev. I wonder if this will impact that plan at all (if it exists). Now, they don't need to expand the carrier offering to increase the customer base. But, it's a greater customer base entirely within AT&T. But, AT&T will now — presumably — have better coverage. But, AT&T is already strongly disliked as a brand, and this doesn't change that. And so on… I would think that Apple is at best wary of the merger, since, like the rest of the hardware providers, the increased bargaining power of the carriers is a problem.
- kelnos 16y ago
  Long-term ATT'll have better coverage, but for now, not so much. Basically they (that is, existing ATT customers) get T-Mo's 2G/EDGE network, but that's about it. 3G is still on two different channels, so ATT/T-Mo customers are still split there. ATT's 4G network is nonexistent, while T-Mo's is brand-new and tiny. Moving forward, as they build out 4G, this is a net win, but the merger doesn't help anyone's 3G coverage. Ugh... I hate this. I really don't want to be an ATT customer.

by apress 16y ago

alecperkins 16y ago

Hmmm it is funny that Apple isn't mentioned, given its influence in the hardware side. A general suspicion has been that Apple will open up the iPhone to other carriers with the next rev. I wonder if this will impact that plan at all (if it exists). Now, they don't need to expand the carrier offering to increase the customer base. But, it's a greater customer base entirely within AT&T. But, AT&T will now — presumably — have better coverage. But, AT&T is already strongly disliked as a brand, and this doesn't change that. And so on… I would think that Apple is at best wary of the merger, since, like the rest of the hardware providers, the increased bargaining power of the carriers is a problem.

kelnos 16y ago
Long-term ATT'll have better coverage, but for now, not so much. Basically they (that is, existing ATT customers) get T-Mo's 2G/EDGE network, but that's about it. 3G is still on two different channels, so ATT/T-Mo customers are still split there. ATT's 4G network is nonexistent, while T-Mo's is brand-new and tiny. Moving forward, as they build out 4G, this is a net win, but the merger doesn't help anyone's 3G coverage. Ugh... I hate this. I really don't want to be an ATT customer.