AT&T;'s merger with T-Mobile for wireless domination is met with static
AT&T's proposed merger with rival T-Mobile is raising concerns that consumers will be left with fewer choices for their wireless needs. And with less competition comes fewer improvements, worse customer service and higher prices.
"The U.S. wireless industry is one of the most fiercely competitive markets in the world and will remain so after this deal," AT&T spokeswoman Lauren Harris said Monday after the surprise $39-billion acquisition of T-Mobile was announced.
"When you have two companies control almost the entire market, you're almost back to reassembling the Ma Bell monopoly" S. Derek Turner, research director for Free Press, a Northampton, Mass., nonprofit public interest group that focuses on media policy, told the Times.
Many readers agreed.
"Exactly, this is terrible news. We are on our way to having only two major carriers which means lack of innovation and drive for new phones and options, and consistantly rising prices. T-Mobile was a major player in keeping rates lower," toweandy1 wrote.
Castaway5555 wrote, "Let's be clear: Big Biz doesn't like competition! Never has, never will. And I don't really care, as long as we have a strong Federal Government that can regulate greed! Strip the government of its regulatory powers, and we will quickly see American Biz Giants absorb one another until there are only one or two players. Quality will degrade and price climb. That's how it works!"
"My heart is broken from seing the corruption of our US goverment and how it is sold to the big corporations. What's next for us citizens? if the government we elected is against us who can we recurr to?" asked Peoplescomments.
Belliake is hoping for a silver lining, speculating "this may all eventially make the postal service viable again."
What's your take? Should regulators block the merger or let it happen? Doesn't the free market always fill a void if one exists? Leave your thoughts below.
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Who is T-Mobile's stylish new 4G girl, and who made that pink-and-white dress?
-- Tony Pierce
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Photo: T-Mobile's myTouch 4G girl, Canadian model/actress Carly Foulkes, in a vintage-inspired dress designed by Debra LeClair. Credit: T-Mobile
Terribly annoyed!
Left AT&T for its unreasonable prices and went to T-Mobile
What A Sell-Out!! Definetly not staying on board. Get me out of this nightmare
Posted by: berns | 03/21/2011 at 03:00 PM
NOT LIKING this. Ive been with Tmobile for about 10 years,great customer service and prices. Im afraid of what At&t will do to my service bill.
This is horrible!
Posted by: tiffany nonyabizz | 03/21/2011 at 03:05 PM
pissed off i dnt wanna pay anymore money like come on i pay enough
Posted by: gfb | 03/21/2011 at 03:19 PM
I also am a T-Mobile customer for many years - both for my business and personal use. I am not a big cell phone user, I don't text, and I don't need web access. T-Mobile has good prices, flexibility, and great customer service. Service overseas is also wonderful and more economical than I would have thought. I left Sprint after being overcharged numerous times and being literally unable to talk to anyone in customer service or corporate about these issues. I did a lot of research on the other big cell companies, and nothing compares to T-Mobile at least for my purposes.
I'm extremely skeptical now. I do not want to be an AT &T customer at all. I don't want an "eye-phone" or anything else related to Apple. I honestly don't know where to go - can't stand Sprint or Verizon. Maybe Metro PCS?
Posted by: ar | 03/21/2011 at 04:00 PM
I've been a loyal T-Mobile customer for over 10 years...and will not stay with them if merged with AT & T. Everyone knows ATT has the worst service and worst prices out there, and I will go ANYWHERE but there. Even Verizon.
NO. MERGER.
Posted by: Suze | 03/21/2011 at 06:01 PM
So you're approach to the 'National Conversation' is to quote one AT&T spokesperson vs. a Mass. Journalist and 4 random internet users, some of whom can't spell. Smash up job on the spread there LAT. Top notch.
Posted by: Fletchy D | 03/22/2011 at 06:54 AM