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> Heck, T-Mobile has a market value of $130 billion. AT&T has a market cap of $188B, and Verizon $223 billion. If Verizon and AT&T joined T-Mobile in protest, A

> Heck, T-Mobile has a market value of $130 billion. AT&T has a market cap of $188B, and Verizon $223 billion. If Verizon and AT&T joined T-Mobile in protest, Apple could theoretically attempt (or at least threaten) a hostile takeover of any of them. OTOH, one way to become the most valuable company in history is to not go pulling stunts like that. Nothing the street loves more than predictability.

gjsman-1000 5y ago
Of course, the odds of this are extremely small. It's just more to show that Apple has more leverage than the carriers in this situation. Edit: Another, "smarter" tactic that Apple might use is by sending messages to the Board of Directors. If Apple can get the Board of Directors on their side (or at least convince them that management is fighting a war they can't win)... another way to freak out execs at the carriers.
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- smoldesu 5y ago
  The odds of any American company could start scooping up cell carriers without reproach is not just "small", but more along the lines of "complete impossibility". The SEC already gives Apple the stink-eye for gobbling up C-lister startup companies; if they tried acquiring anyone in the S&P 500, every trade commission in the world would be on them within seconds. I also think it's silly to equate a company's power to the amount of money they have (at least in the first world) but your hypothetical does raise an interesting question: who's deeper in bed with the State, Big Telecom or FAANG? All of them answer to the government, even T-Mobile; but who's got the most favor? Understanding the heinous stuff the American government got away with when they had telecom under their thumb doesn't set a very optimistic baseline of expectations. It might even lead certain people to believe (surprise surprise) that Apple's dedication to privacy doesn't really mean much when there's money on the line. Arguing about how "Apple is better because they have more capital resources" has about as much pragmatic value as a child's crayon drawing. Unless Apple has one-upped Room 641A, I think you're describing a power fantasy.
mschuster91 5y ago
Sure, but on the other hand if there is one thing Apple (as well as Tesla, Facebook and Google) are known and loved by the stock markets for, it is vertical integration to an absolutely insane degree. Apple would literally capture the entire value chain of the iDevice ecosystem with such a stunt, not to mention have yet another steady stream of income.

gjsman-1000 5y ago

Of course, the odds of this are extremely small. It's just more to show that Apple has more leverage than the carriers in this situation. Edit: Another, "smarter" tactic that Apple might use is by sending messages to the Board of Directors. If Apple can get the Board of Directors on their side (or at least convince them that management is fighting a war they can't win)... another way to freak out execs at the carriers.

deleted 5y ago
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smoldesu 5y ago
The odds of any American company could start scooping up cell carriers without reproach is not just "small", but more along the lines of "complete impossibility". The SEC already gives Apple the stink-eye for gobbling up C-lister startup companies; if they tried acquiring anyone in the S&P 500, every trade commission in the world would be on them within seconds. I also think it's silly to equate a company's power to the amount of money they have (at least in the first world) but your hypothetical does raise an interesting question: who's deeper in bed with the State, Big Telecom or FAANG? All of them answer to the government, even T-Mobile; but who's got the most favor? Understanding the heinous stuff the American government got away with when they had telecom under their thumb doesn't set a very optimistic baseline of expectations. It might even lead certain people to believe (surprise surprise) that Apple's dedication to privacy doesn't really mean much when there's money on the line. Arguing about how "Apple is better because they have more capital resources" has about as much pragmatic value as a child's crayon drawing. Unless Apple has one-upped Room 641A, I think you're describing a power fantasy.

mschuster91 5y ago

Sure, but on the other hand if there is one thing Apple (as well as Tesla, Facebook and Google) are known and loved by the stock markets for, it is vertical integration to an absolutely insane degree. Apple would literally capture the entire value chain of the iDevice ecosystem with such a stunt, not to mention have yet another steady stream of income.