T-Mobile looking to Purchase Sprint Nextel 72
A tip from jpquezada gently reminds us that we haven't addressed the reports that Deutsche Telekom is looking to purchase Sprint Nextel. Yes, good ol' Deutsche Telekom (who also owns T-Mobile USA) has been eyeballing the purchase of Sprint for a while now. But just recently some new information indicates that they have actually been looking to make a move.
If the deal goes through (and there are many questions about whether it can or will), it's not entirely clear what Deutsche Telekom will do with Sprint or what it would mean for the industry and Sprint customers. T-Mobile is a GSM carrier while Sprint is CDMA - not to mention Sprint's Nextel bands. Would T-Mobile and Sprint merge or simply be owned by the same company? Would Sprint move to GSM (a move perhaps eased by the fact that Sprint has been busy virtualizing their company and divesting themselves of pesky physical assets and then leasing them back). Would Catherine Zeta Jones start appearing in commercials next to Dan Hesse? Would Sprint and Palm lose their BFF status, since neither T-Mobile USA nor Deutsche Telekom have been very Palm-friendly in recent memory? Would it also help drive up wireless costs across all carriers?
That's a lot of questions - and if we were Palm, we'd see the same answer behind all of them: time to diversify and get webOS devices on other networks, pronto.
72 Comments
If T-mobile and Sprint become one, and convert to GSM, which I see as the likely outcome due to the large parent on GSM, then the good news here is that Verizon Wireless will be launching the Palm Pre and now likely the Pixi too so that you can still get your Palm love!
If Sprint goes to GSM, I'll be moving to Verizon. GSM is a crap protocol compared to CDMA, that supports much lower handset density than CDMA. It's not even remotely surprising that in high population density areas (like Manhattan) AT&T is terrible.
Having been on AT&T and Sprint, I'll stick with CDMA thank you very much.
+1000! GSM is a total crap protocol for sure!!!!!!! Sprint should just get rid of Nextel (the acquisition was a total failure years ago) and move forward. Sprint FTW!
I agree....if sprint sells out to t-mobile I'm ditching them both and porting over to verizon no questions asked!
Amen to that! I've had the pleasure of using AT&T Wireless (which I think at the time, it was on CDMA, I think), T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint. I'll keep my CDMA Sprint, thank you very much!
Verizon wasn't bad, and for a while, we had Sprint and Verizon side-by-side in our family (wife had Verizon, I was on Sprint), and since then we've all switched to Sprint, and love it. There are 9 family members using Sprint!
AT&T has a real bad rep about their service, particularly data, with the iPhone. While the device is revolutionary, the service has never quite lived up to its expectations, I think. And when it comes to T-mobile... let me just say that after two years (or more) of T-Mobile, I was GLAD to jump over to Sprint. Plus, Sprint's plans really do offer the best bang for your buck!
CDMA is just too darn reliable for them to ditch for GSM, and GSM arches eyebrows whenever you talk to Verizon/Sprint customers. It would be suicide to force the Sprint customer base to GSM. They would, in effect, be handing over their customer base to Verizon.
I sure hope not, mergers normally hurt companies as of late (sprint & nextel) and if it drives up prices that would suk. Hopefully this is just a rumor, we will see....
Given how expensive it's been for Sprint to manage both a CDMA and an iDEN network, I'm surprised that a GSM carrier would consider trying to purchase Sprint. They'd either have to maintain the additional expense of 3 networks (GSM, CDMA & iDEN) or consolidate to one network requiring a fire sale of CDMA assets to Verizon, and just scrubbing the iDEN assets. It's hard to see where this is going to make money.
This seems like an even worse fit than Sprint & Nextel.
A friend of mine's husband works for T-Mobile and claims to be going through training for Sprint handsets. Not sure if it valid or not....more rumors on top of rumors
I remember seeing a blurb about this yesterday. I dismissed it since I subsequently saw a blurb that Sprint didn't know anything about it.
Didn't this happen last year, too? D-Telekom always seem to be looking for a bigger foothold here in the US and sprint always comes up. Vodafone and Verizon aren't giving up Verizon Wireless. ATT is probably too big for D-Telekom to absorb. Sprint was probably the most likely scenario at this point with Alltel gone and considering the financial trouble it's been in since the Nextel merger. Despite that it's like the boy who cried wolf I just don't believe the hype anymore.
I just don't see it happening, but if it does I better see a check for more than $6 a share.
The day this happens will be the day I jump ship to ATT. I've already took a ride on the T-Mobile train and it wasn't pleasant. I don't want any part of anything that has to do with T-Mobile. They have horrible service, (believe it or not their customer service makes Sprint's AMAZING!) I'm NOT doing that again. I'll deal with ATT's expensive data plans over that. Were just running out of choices, aren't we?
The day this happens will be the day I jump ship to ATT. I've already took a ride on the T-Mobile train and it wasn't pleasant. I don't want any part of anything that has to do with T-Mobile. They have horrible service, (believe it or not their customer service makes Sprint's AMAZING!) I'm NOT doing that again. I'll deal with ATT's expensive data plans over that. Were just running out of choices, aren't we?
The day this happens will be the day I jump ship to ATT. I've already took a ride on the T-Mobile train and it wasn't pleasant. I don't want any part of anything that has to do with T-Mobile. They have horrible service, (believe it or not their customer service makes Sprint's AMAZING!) I'm NOT doing that again. I'll deal with ATT's expensive data plans over that. Were just running out of choices, aren't we?
I am not a big T-mobile fan, in fact I was trying to get away from them and go to sprint. This would not be good for me.
The day this happens will be the day I jump ship to ATT. I've already took a ride on the T-Mobile train and it wasn't pleasant. I don't want any part of anything that has to do with T-Mobile. They have horrible service, (believe it or not their customer service makes Sprint's AMAZING!) I'm NOT doing that again. I'll deal with ATT's expensive data plans over that. Were just running out of choices, aren't we?
The day this happens will be the day I jump ship to ATT. I've already took a ride on the T-Mobile train and it wasn't pleasant. I don't want any part of anything that has to do with T-Mobile. They have horrible service, (believe it or not their customer service makes Sprint's AMAZING!) I'm NOT doing that again. I'll deal with ATT's expensive data plans over that. Were just running out of choices, aren't we?
I'm trying to figure out how I sent that 3 times. :/ hm. Have no idea how to delete them soooo oh well. Sorry.
It was actually 5 times, but who is counting? ;-)
Yeah. I do wish I knew how to delete them. I knew my Pre was acting kind of screwy. Sorry! Ha
It's not you, all our Pres act screwy.
Anyway, I think Sprint should just sell off old dinosaur Nextel and continue to be the leading edge in technology with the money they make off of that.
+1
They could even spinoff Nextel as a seperate company so that they no longer drag down what Sprint does exceptionally well: CDMA.
This is very saddening news. I sure hope it remains what it currently is.. a rumor. I'll be jumping ship and going to Verizon if this happens unless they keep the CDMA network. GSM still sucks for coverage in comparison to current CDMA networks. There's been so many times where I have a single and my brother who has T-mobile had absolutely no signal. A phone is only as good as the network it connects to and the coverage they provide. I see having Sprint as the most cost effective solution while still maintaining the same coverage as Verizon because roaming is included.
hope is not true.. this means my $69.99 everything data + mobile to any mobile will be gone.. no competition = no better service/plans to attract customers. sad day today ! :0(
It's not you, all our Pres act screwy.
Anyway, I think Sprint should just sell off old dinosaur Nextel and continue to be the leading edge in technology with the money they make off of that.
my friend jumped ship from t-mobile to sprint for their plans and good signals.. now he's hearing this !!! jajajajajajajajajjaja ( he's about to cancel the crap* of the contract ) lol
I just left Tmobile, with their horrid rate plans and terrible customer service. I'm hoping desperately that this is only a rumor. If it happens, I'm sticking with my Pre, no doubt, but I will be quite disappointed.
It's not you, all our Pres act screwy.
Anyway, I think Sprint should just sell off old dinosaur Nextel and continue to be the leading edge in technology with the money they make off of that.
I've been a Sprint customer (with 6 lines) for 10 years. If this happens I will jump ship also and get my pre flashed to cricket. SPRINT DONT DO IT!!
Holy ****. Yah I hope this doesnt happen. Guess if it does I too will have to ditch TMobile/Sprint and head for the....Verizon Network...Sprint CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!!!
This is by far the worst possible combination, besides Nextel of course. BUT the truth is, soon it will be called the big three....just hope Sprint is one of those that survive. Like to see ATT, Verizon and Sprint. Sprint needs to find a rich guy to buy TMobile for them and then everything would be good.
Just to throw this into the Mix, DSLReports had an article that suggested that Comcast should consider buying Sprint. Hard to take any of this seriously, jiven the Justice Department and/or FCC would have to approve.
I just signed a new contract with sprint, this would probably destroy that due to the discounts I get and how much T-Mobile overprices their crappy service. From a consumers stand point sprint has a lot to lose with this, their lower prices/ better data service is really generating some buzz at least locally. From an investor standpoint I can see them doing this..
I really hope this is just some analysts conspiring to manipulate stock prices with buzz.
It's not you, all our Pres act screwy.
Anyway, I think Sprint should just sell off old dinosaur Nextel and continue to be the leading edge in technology with the money they make off of that.
THAT WOULD SUCK!!!
Sprint should give "Douche" Telekom their Nextel system and move on with better service!
This is just bad news for both Palm and Sprint customers currently enjoying the great plans. Palm and T-Mobile just never hit it off and T-Mobile screws their customers with the surgar for crap service. Comming from ATT, I was enjoying the lack of buzzing from my audio equipment on the CDMA network until I hear this buzz-killer.
It's not you, all our Pres act screwy.
Anyway, I think Sprint should just sell off old dinosaur Nextel and continue to be the leading edge in technology with the money they make off of that.
On the other hand, maybe its a purchase deal for the Nextel band. T-Mobile is more into the hip trends and the chirping of IDEN tech has become more of a personal flare than business needs these days. That would be a win win for all.
*****************URGENT*******************Yes it would be bad if T-Mobile and Sprint combine but unless I missed it in someones comment there is the worst part of this story. Deutsche Telekom is a German (overseas) company. This would take the majority interest out of the United States. With the G4 work being done and the lease of NexTel's older system to the US Government, that would give control of the communications of the Government and the most advanced (G4) system to a someone outside of the USA. Do you get this? This is VERY bad. Look into this. Please if you know what I am talking about add to this. **********************
SO, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE FIRST 4G NETWORK?
If it continues advancing a foreign interest will have control over the most powerful communications/multi-media system in the United States. And if after a merger the advancements being done fail then we lost out on the same.
Finally! Someone intelligent in this community!
Losing a HUGE National (Security) asset like Sprint, Oh, there's so much to say...
Sprint, (according to Wikipedia) operates and maintains DCSNet, the U.S. Federal Government's private surveillance network (of us).
And is also a global Internet carrier (Tier 1 network) and makes up a portion of the Internet backbone.
It sadden's me that most Americans don't understand that losing our National, Homegrown companies... like Microsoft, intel, Sprint (of course) Vizio, Apple, Reaserch in Motion (Blackberry's) Bose, Ford, GM (sort of), Verizon (sort of, because, Verizon is solely American. But Verizon Wireless is a joint venture between Verizon and Vodafone, which is an English Telecomunications company), there is also Motorola, Google, Yahoo!, Amazon, Boeing, Starbucks, and nothing much else... But yea, losing companies like these, will lose credability in the International Community.
Sprint/T-Mobile WON'T happen! The United States government will NEVER allow it.
But I'd like to say, that I'm not a conservative lunatic. I'm a Pro-Nationalist. If an American company isn't available, I'll get something from a company of a Republic State (like us)
In Japan there's Sony (Which invented the CD, and Blu-ray. Of Which I supported, hands down.) And really, we all know that HD-DVD only stood a 'Snow balls chance in Hell' BECAUSE of Microsoft. Toshiba? No one would have GLANCED at their HD-DVD if Microsoft wasn't doing the software for HD-DVD. And Toshiba knew it, and subsequently umm, they lost.
But enough with that rant. Europians, umm GSM and Bluetooth (the Norwegian's, i believe) And you can't forget about Nokia. And the Opera Web Browser.
Thanks for reading my post. Reply if you want.
Long Live The Pr?!
I really don't like this idea. Sprint finally seams to be in the right track, offering great devices with awesome plans!... seriously I'm just wondering whether T-mobile is just trying to screw up sprint... This really wouldn't be good for competition in the industry either... Seriously T-mobile, layoff Sprint...
Is there any way to contact dan hesse because this is an outrage. Sprint is on the uprise and a take over by t-mobile will be a step back. Many people will want to switch carriers because t-mobile sux and we need to somehow voice our opinion to him before the it's too late. I know it would be for business puposses but he needs to hang in there his company is better and he needs to stick it out. Is there some kind of forum or letter we can send to him while there is still time?
Although Mr. Hesse is CEO, he still has to answer to a board of directors. Majority vote rules.
It's not you, all our Pres act screwy.
Anyway, I think Sprint should just sell off old dinosaur Nextel and continue to be the leading edge in technology with the money they make off of that.
Dude (or Dudette), close this card!
If the merge translate to higher cost, then there would be no reason for me to stick with Sprint. I am don't really care if they change to GSM, but it would be 2 years I can get a new phone, so I would hope they support CDMA for at least that long.
Can you guys stop posting the same message 20 times? My Pre never multi-posts like that.
How about a dual radio phone: GMS + CDMA to have the best of both worlds? I gather the hardware supports that.
I like sprint but I purchased an unlocked Centro for when I travel. Still don't have a Pre - waiting for my upgrade time, but actually, I'm sort of glad to be waiting - hoping for a desktop app, particularly SpashID sync. I think I'll not actually get the Pre until SplashID works as it does with my Centro.
I wish people would stop running with rumors, Deutsche Telekom is NOT buying Sprint. As others have touched on, GSM is CRAP! Sprint has too much going right now, with the WebOS and Android handsets, Wimax, etc. I think there are bone heads out pushing out this rumor because Sprint is on the upswing. When Sprint first announced the Pre, a similar "rumor" came out, days ago Sprint announced the new calling plan, now this rumor is coming out again.
Let's not forget that the dollar is extremely cheap so from a foreign company's POV, it might be a good investment, ergo Telekom's interest in Sprint. It's really the only choice takeover out there. Sprint has been rumored to be a good takeover target in the markets for a long time. It could be that Sprint is looking for an infusion of cash by merging or being bought. But for Telekom to buy Sprint & to destroy it just as it is coming over the hill would be really stupid IMHO. It doesn't make sense. Sprint's CEO has been doing a good job turning this once nightmare company around. It's more innovative, advanced, getting cool products, good advertising (they seem to be everywhere) & customer service has vastly improved. Nextel? Well.... Yes I own Sprint stock but, no, I'm not pushing it nor am I connected in any way w any part of any financial industry. Just some random thoughts on the subject.
Addendum: Charlie Rose intv w Dan Hesse @ URL
http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/11/sprints-dan-hesse-talks-android-pre-i...
Great article! Thanks!
Dan Hesse is wise.
As long as I am "grandfathered" into my Everything Data plan with AnyMobile, Anytime via Sprint then I should be ok. I will ride it out and see how it goes, but I doubt Sprint will be purchased so I'm not really worried about this.
if sprint goes t-mobile im outta here,i also think they should drop nextel and get on with real business,,i guess if it happens verizon would be the educated move
look guys sprints new commercail kind of attacks t-mobile so this is the way the t-mobile guys swing back at us....
Hmmm, yeah, this move would make no sense. I know that they want a larger foothold in the US, but this is probably the worst way to do it. "Let's buy not one but two totally separate networks on completely incompatible protocols from the one we own and sell all of it off?" To what end? The users (as if all of them won't jump ship immediately)? I just don't buy it. I also heard about a DoJ report saying that there were no talks currently underway regarding this type of merger, so I don't know that I would lend any credence to this rumor, but who knows.
I HATE tmobil!!!! I had a tmobil htc wing...and it stoped working....I called tmobil and they won't do anything!!!!!! If tmobil buys sprint I will get the iphone!!!
Ummm...I left Tmobile for MANY reasons. I hope this can't, and doesn't, happen.
Even IF this happens, I'd be willing to bet that the Sprint network stays running as is until a natural network migration can occur. Short of that, they would either have to replace every handset for every customer on the current Sprint network, or sell the customers to Verizon, which I don't see either of these happening.
The one significant likely change is that the WiMax strategy would probably be cancelled and would be changed to LTE instead, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I'm not sure why acquiring Sprint would make sense to T-mobile. Sure they would gain the customers, but at a massive cost of either replacing all their phones to GSM compatible versions or maintaining two networks(3 if nextel lives after the transition.) Despite what all the people on this thread seem to be saying, GSM is the future, CDMA is dying, Verizon is already doing their rollout of LTE, the next iteration of GSM technology. I'm not sure if T-mobile was going to do LTE, or do something like the WiMax that Sprint was planning for 4G. They barely have a 3G network right now... If T-mobile does buy Sprint, I'll be okay with it as long as they let me keep my current plan and don't make me switch to a GSM phone until they've rolled out their network more. I switched from T-mobile, and not only do they not have 3G where I live, they don't even have service at all in much of the city.
Tmobile is not going to aquire sprint. This is just another stupid rumor. Sprint has had plenty of chanes to get taken over. Not to long before altel got perchased by verizon, Altel wanted to buy sprint. Sprint has made some dumb decisions but they are not that stupid. With the new plans I know tons of people who have left their carrirs to come to sprint. they have come such a long way. Why give up win you are catching up and on the right track. They wouldn't
hear is some proof.
http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2009/09/14/daily14.html
I totally agree with everyone. I will switch to Verizon if this happens. However, I seriously doubt it that Sprint will convert all services to GSM. To many Sprint customers rely on CDMA and not to mention big Govt. contracts with NEXTLE that does not like T-Mobile. I would definitely switch to Verizon if this happens. I am on a Govt Contract and will definitely switch. I think GSM is crap!
hell nah!
I think tmobile just started this rumor so stocks and shares could go down 4 sprint! Ever since they announced their any mobile any time plan its been buzzing everywhere! it even made the daily news paper here in ny! Most of the people in my job is thinking of switching carriers! i know i am! Stop being a hater Tmobile
Good lord,
Listen to all of you. How pathetic can you all be. Get a grip. Now I was with Tmo since the VS days. Service on the whole was great. Some people here have had bad experiences, I get that. What I don't get is the hysteria going on. At best the people with pre's and current smart phones are here for the next 22+ months. Barring something ludicrous (Tmo replacing all phones with GSM comparable). We will be on cdma for the foreseeable future. After that LTE or something like it will be here and we will transfer to the new network.
Oh and as far as price is concerned yes the 450 Every data is great at 69.99 and a comparable plan on Tmo is more. Is it like American Terrorism and Tedium prices? Uh no.
Also would you like to be a very small player in the US or a strong 3 player with a network to match either VZ or ATT. And as far as Sprint network is the best since sliced bread, no to that to. Don't get me wrong it works fine but. In my apartment I get if i'm lucky a steady 2 bars, 3 if i go outside. No considering i'm in the deepest of greens here on Sprint's maps its kinda sad. On a JB Iphone I got 3 bars steady on Tmo and all bars on an ATT sim. If it wasn't for a known Deadzone in the adjacent town i'd still be on them.
All I can say is take a chill pill and breath. Whatever happens it won't be overnite and you can plan accordingly.
One thing to remember, LTE is actually a form of CDMA I am pretty sure. And besides, Sprint alone will have a hard time increasing market share. So, if both are combined it make for a larger customer base close to AT&T. They would hopefully still be smart and keep Sprints plan types. This could be successful if and I do mean if done right.
I heard from an inside source that the rumor is false and has been this rumore this time of year for the last three years, so it looks like its false. Thank god.
Bleh! My sister, good friend, and two co-workers all have T-Mobile, and their coverage absolutely sucks. :( I don't want any blending of the companies, thank you very much.
I freakin hate T-Mobile. Their reception sucks, their customer service is less than friendly, their phones are a joke. If they buy Sprint then I am gone. I will go back to Verizon Wirless.
I HOPE that Sprint doesnt sell to T-Mobile...
That would blow some serious balls if they did...
I actually like Sprint the way they are now, so lets keep it this way!
I have been a sprint costumer since 1999. I have never been in any other phone company but if sprint sells to T mobile, I will change without thinking twice about it ..I so hate T Mobile. T Mobile's reception sucks badly as much as their phones..
My thoughts are if its not broke DONT fix it. I like Sprint the way it is. Its headed in the right direction.... keep on a truckin and leave TM in the dust.
i would love to see sprint go GSM. I had ATT gsm service and it was great until the iphone came along. ATT cant handle the iphone, but I honestly believe no single carrier could handle that bandwidth sucking icrap. Apple killed AT&T. BTW I hate apple, itunes, iphones, ipods,I do however like the apple IIe. I'm loving sprint and my pre but CDMA is old and tired. If sprint had the Iphone its network would have slowed to a grinding halt.