iPhone lovers: The AT&T network may be getting a bit better...

[doconeill]

AT&T and Deutsche Telekom just a few minutes ago jointly announced that AT&T is purchasing the T-Mobile USA network for ~$39B.

 

[mikelan6]

Doesn't this just mean that there will be more users on the AT&T network?

 

[doconeill]

I believe the networks are compatible.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

If Canada is any indications, mergers mean less competition and way higher prices.

 

[jcb]

Is any one surprised given how openly Tmobile mocked AT&T in recent commercials?

 

[AndyPok1]

I believe the networks are compatible.

I don't believe they are actually. Last I checked T-Mobile's 3G is on the 1700 band.... which no one uses.

So their 2G will be compatible but uh... whooo EDGE!

 

[doconeill]

I don't believe they are actually. Last I checked T-Mobile's 3G is on the 1700 band.... which no one uses.

So their 2G will be compatible but uh... whooo EDGE!

Yeah, I checked that out...unless you've got a multi-band phone (and I'm not sure how many of those were available), it won't help.

T-Mobile is telling it's subscribers it will be a year until the acquisition is complete, so nothing will likely change until then. After that - who knows. All the T-Mobile subscribers who shouted "iPhone!" got slapped down

This does leapfrog AT&T over Verizon by a decent margin as the #1 carrier by subscriber.

 

[k5jm]

Currently T-mobile uses 1.9ghz for voice in the US. ATT uses 870mhz and 1.9ghz for voice. This is a good fit for ATT. ATT is land locked on its spectrum. I see this purchase as nothing more than a Frequency Spectrum grab for ATT. This is will give ATT spectrum in the AWS band and in the 700mhz band (perfect for REAL 4G and not HSPA+).

The T-mobile/ATT company will benefit SPRINT by leaving SPRINT as the lone #3, lower price, option.

<-uses ATT as an Enterprise customer and can only hope this helps in rural areas.