What happens when two bad cell providers combine forces?

[MikeH]

Is it just that though? More subscribers, towers in places they've struggled to get towers and ability to consolidate the network. Plus should be some good economies of scale in putting in the back end internet connections to the towers that they'll need to support decent 4G.

It is remarkable how **** cell coverage and mobile internet speed is in the states, you'd sort of assume they'd be world leaders.

[The Mad Monk]

I like my T-Molbile.

This purchase makes me sad.

[Az]

So, what are the odds of this being approved by the proper anti-trust authorities?
What are the trends for T-Mobile ARPU (esp. data)?
What are the paths (costs) of the techological transmission?
Does america have frequent multiple provider users ( more than one provider per person)?

It is an interesting deal, would love to read some public insights on this?

[DaShi]

I vaguely remember something about how they screwed over Cingular customers with bad reception when AT&T bought them.

[Lonestar]

Looks like I guessed right about AT&T having no plans to keep T-Mobiles network alice:

Maximum PC

AT&T is letting slip more details of their post-acquisition plans for T-Mobile as time goes on. Up on offer this evening is the degree to which T-Mobile's spectrum will be used for AT&T's 4G LTE network. The long and short of it is, that T-Mobile customers with 3G phones will need to replace those handsets in order to continue receiving data after the deal is done.

T-Mobile's AWS 3G cellular bands will become part of AT&T's LTE network. So all those towers running HSPA+ for Tmo, will move to 4G. AT&T was unclear on just how the transition to AT&T 3G would work for T-Mobile subscriber, or how fast the changeover would go. AT&T CE Ralph de la Vega said in an interview that the transition would be, "done over time, in a way that's good for customers and good for AT&T."

We're a little concerned about customers buying a phone from Tmo on a two year contract considering this news. It is possible that AT&T will simply offer a midrange phone to users for free when the time comes to flip the switch on T-Mobile towers. How do you think the changeover will go?

[germanos]

Hilarious security breach at Vodafone NL

Today the news broke that journalists managed to break into the voicemail-box of all Dutch politicians (MP's and members of the Cabinet) and all public servants (Vodafone secured a contract with the Government to provide cellphones to their employees) as well as practically anybody who has Vodafone as their provider (and I assume other providers as well).

The story (backed up by NUCLEAR WEAPONS evidence) revolves about the possibility to listen to your voicemails on remote: Phone the designated number, enter your phonenumber (or any other for that matter), enter a security code (standard 3333) and you're in. Since hardly anybody knows about this 'service', nobody changes their security code for this feature.

The only caveat is that you have to actually know the phonenumber of the person you want to spy on. Once you know that and the person has not switched the standard code to use this service you can hear all their incoming voicemails.


If anybody wonders what went wrong with the Dutch botched rescue operation in Sirte (Lybia) a few weeks ago:
"Hi Uri (Dutch State Secretary), this is Hans (Dutch Defence Minister). All is set for the operation in Sirte at 8 AM next sunday. Nothing can possibly go wrong. Monday photo-op, Wednesday provincial elections. See you at the after-party!"
fictional conversation blatently stolen from a dutch weblog. The operation indeed took place before elections and failure was kept quiet until after that.

Government and ICT

[Egbert]

You get one really big bad provider?