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Tmobile-MetroPCS Merger Updates & Questions

new optimus said:
At least for the next 5 to 7 years I dont think they will get rid of metro brand, 3 main reasons
1st name recognition, while metro was not top of the heap it does have a good name for cheap service, and even cheaper phones but thats another story.
2nd they have a 3-4 year commitment with the cdma/volte aspects of metro.
and 3rd I think they will make more money by keeping metro as a separate entity and giving the illusion of choices.
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I agree. That's what any sane CEO would do. Sprint has been at it for a while. But Legere might just be radical enough to rebrand sooner rather than later; the more I think about it, the more I think he would rebrand.

There are two schools of thought. 1) Gradual change so the public doesn't get confused or upset. 2) Make your sweeping changes up front - people have short memories and will get over the changes relatively fast.

So, I'll make a wild, speculative prediction. One brand identity in 2 years.
 
new optimus said:
heres the thing though you cant really lock down the gsm phone system. I get a sim card (even if I have to buy a cheap crap phone from metro) and pull the sim and stick it in my unlocked nexus 4 or note 2 or htc one and everything works.

Sure some people will not know that (and will never try it just to see) but even if they dont advertise it people will do it.
Sprint virgin mobile, boost mobile they use cdma tech and they can do that because the esn is part of the phone not the sim card.
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Exactly what I was thinking. :D

CDMA just needs to go away.
 
If they were planning on shutting the metro brand down soon they would not be expanding retail stores in more than double the current metro coverage area then to just shut it all down in a couple of years probably the biggest waste of money ever. They would also try to convert them to the main tmo brand with incentives now rather than try to add customers to metro. They would also probably say once you upgrade from a CDMA phone they'll switch you to the main brand, but they aren't doing any of that except expanding retail stores which shows something.


Just to add you don't invest and try to grow something just to shut it down
 
Gman9831 said:
If they were planning on shutting the metro brand down soon they would not be expanding retail stores in more than double the current metro coverage area then to just shut it all down in a couple of years probably the biggest waste of money ever. They would also try to convert them to the main tmo brand with incentives now rather than try to add customers to metro. They would also probably say once you upgrade from a CDMA phone they'll switch you to the main brand, but they aren't doing any of that except expanding retail stores which shows something.


Just to add you don't invest and try to grow something just to shut it down
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...and I'll concede that I'm probably completely wrong.

It was his talk of industry consolidation, cutbacks on extravagances, more European billing structure, etc. That got me thinking he might just say T-Mobile USA and Metro PCS are gone, this is T-Mobile US now.
 
Here’s some analyst fun to help start the week as Brett Feldman of Deutsche Bank calls for T-Mobile to pass Sprint thanks to the iPhone. In fact, Feldman calls for a $28 price target on T-Mobile USA stock based on a “significant” discount compared to the prices of AT&T and Verizon.*As for the Sprint talk, Feldman believes T-Mobile’s planned LTE upgrade will help it shoot past Sprint for third place.
We believe that TMUS’ accelerated LTE build-out will enable it to continue stealing momentum from Sprint (whose LTE build-out has experienced delays) as the primary challenger to market leaders AT&T and Verizon. For example, TMUS is on track to cover more than 100M POPs with LTE during 2Q13 and 200M by YE13 using at least 10
 
It's true and I think logic can help solve the confusion. I mean I'm not sure how many millions of dollars was spent merging the companies but it would be money thrown away if it was just to retire metro. The key is to make money grow and with two companies T-mo should be able to make their investment back in a few years and more.
 
OcalaFlGuy said:
Yeah buddy.

THAT sure makes it sound like they're killing Metro.

NOT. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Bruce in Ocala, FL
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Twin Prime said:
Yep. It looks like the Metro brand will be used like Polaroid or Kodak. A brand name you'd recognize and trust.
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You could not possibly have come up with a more irrelevant comparison if you'd worked at it. :rolleyes:

Those two companies are where they aren't for being perhaps The Most Classic Textbook Examples of what happens to companies that (for all intents and purposes) are completely non-reactive to massive changes in their industry.

Even a Metro hater can't legitimately put them in That category.

Bruce in Ocala, FL
 
You could almost make the comparison of sprint and boost mobile/virgin mobile, but it would not be accurate as I dont see metro being the red-headed stepson.:D:p
 
I can see Metro PCS doing the GSM Sim card thing IF and only IF they don't allow you to bring your own devices. That way you would have to still buy the devices that Metro offers and not a T mobile device per say.

That could be the variable I was mentioning earlier that separates them from T mobile even though they are one in the same. There has to be something to drive a customer in one direction or the other. It doesn't matter that they are owned by the same people you still want your customers at home with you.

Now you might be thinking, well I can just take my sim card out and put it in whatever I want. Metro knows exactly what phone your using at all times and I could foresee something of a service cancellation if it doesn't match up with what was activated on the account.

I could definitely see this as a possibility.
 
n4zty said:
It's true and I think logic can help solve the confusion. I mean I'm not sure how many millions of dollars was spent merging the companies but it would be money thrown away if it was just to retire metro. The key is to make money grow and with two companies T-mo should be able to make their investment back in a few years and more.
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How many times in this world has money been spent into companies only for it NOT to work out? Happens every minute of everyday of every year.

I don't think T mobile's intentions are to scrap Mpcs but I think that it will become inevitable in the future for whatever unforeseen reasons. Hasn't Mpcs' customer base been dropping for the past few quarters? I haven't seen or come across a recent Q report is why I ask. Thought I remember something like that though. Bah, point is. If the Metro side started faultering and doing bad customer wise, they aren't going to drag around a section of the company that's holding them back. T Mobile has gotten what they wanted. So they lose X amount of customers by closing the doors..........those customers have to go somewhere.

It's going to be interesting to watch for sure to see how it all shapes out. But if I was a betting man, I would bet that all these plans you guys love and cherish so much will fall to the wayside. Restructuring will be coming to adapt with the T mobile section. I see something like Big Red does and you keep your plan as long as you don't upgrade your phone. Change phones............new plan.

All speculation of course. :D

I just like guessing. :D

Someone start a points spread or a post season betting chart so we can start taking bets. :P
 
OcalaFlGuy said:
Therein to me lies a BIG important difference between the TMo "Coke" and Metro "Coke".

Just don't allow BYOD at Metro (as it is now). You're limited to Metro phones through their sellers.

Also they could bring out more and nicer phones at TMo.

As has already been mentioned. The average Metro customer isn't going to even know they may be able to go to TMo and get a cooler phone there that works on Metro but just doesn't say Metro on it.

Bruce in Ocala, FL
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Sorry Bruce. Didn't see that you already mentioned it. :/
 
Fuzzy I see and understand what your saying, BUT I dont think they could do a block on BYOD Yes Metro could conceivably find out what device your using, the IMEI would be available to them but blocking it would go against established, and possibly the law, policy for gsm.

They could do something like AT&T does, Sweeps for IMEI and add data plans to known smart phones, But even then changing a customers prepaid service would lose them customers fairly quickly.
 
new optimus said:
You could almost make the comparison of sprint and boost mobile/virgin mobile, but it would not be accurate as I dont see metro being the red-headed stepson.:D:p
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Fuzzy13 said:
Kodak hasn't made a profit in years and is currently in bankruptcy.

I don't think Kodak is a good choice there buddy. :D ;)
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I think there is a much better example of "combined" companies.

Mercedes and Chisler. ;)

Now, forgot all the behind the scenes stuff where MB basically robbed and deceived Chisler, that's besides the point of the discussion.

There was never any intent of MB to close down Chisler. It was meant all the time they Would Be the little red headed step child. Chisler apparently had no problem with that as they new they'd still get some trickle down bennies. (Saw a Crossfire just yesterday, a pretty cool little car.) And yes, Chisler sold at least that one MB car totally branded as a Chisler.

Not every buy out has to be to shuttler the smaller company.

Bruce in Ocala, FL
 
OcalaFlGuy said:
I think there is a much better example of "combined" companies.

Mercedes and Chisler. ;)

Now, forgot all the behind the scenes stuff where MB basically robbed and deceived Chisler, that's besides the point of the discussion.

There was never any intent of MB to close down Chisler. It was meant all the time they Would Be the little red headed step child. Chisler apparently had no problem with that as they new they'd still get some trickle down bennies. (Saw a Crossfire just yesterday, a pretty cool little car.) And yes, Chisler sold at least that one MB car totally branded as a Chisler.

Not every buy out has to be to shuttler the smaller company.

Bruce in Ocala, FL
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Perfect example.
 
OcalaFlGuy said:
I think there is a much better example of "combined" companies.

Mercedes and Chisler. ;)

Now, forgot all the behind the scenes stuff where MB basically robbed and deceived Chisler, that's besides the point of the discussion.

There was never any intent of MB to close down Chisler. It was meant all the time they Would Be the little red headed step child. Chisler apparently had no problem with that as they new they'd still get some trickle down bennies. (Saw a Crossfire just yesterday, a pretty cool little car.) And yes, Chisler sold at least that one MB car totally branded as a Chisler.

Not every buy out has to be to shuttler the smaller company.

Bruce in Ocala, FL
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chisler? Thought it was Chrysler. :D We love ya Bruce from Ocala!
 
I see something like Big Red does and you keep your plan as long as you don't upgrade your phone. Change phones............new plan
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Verizon changes your grandfathered plan if you take the subsidy. In other words you have to pay full retail for a new phone if you want to upgrade. We're already doing this.
 
anubispax said:
.

Verizon changes your grandfathered plan if you take the subsidy. In other words you have to pay full retail for a new phone if you want to upgrade. We're already doing this.
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You don't have to change your plan on Metro if you buy a new phone. :confused:

Most people have had their plans for a very long time. When I left I had one of the original LTE plans and kept it for 2 years or so.
 
Fuzzy13 said:
You don't have to change your plan on Metro if you buy a new phone. :confused:

Most people have had their plans for a very long time. When I left I had one of the original LTE plans and kept it for 2 years or so.
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I had the original $60 plan with the Indulge and kept it through the Esteem and then the Motion. During that time the price had went up to $70 but I stayed grandfathered at $60. They never changed my plan when I got a new phone they only changed my plan when I hopped on the $55 unlimited promotion last year even though I would "lose" Metro Studio and Metro nav. Now me and a friend share a family plan so it's $50 for me. I can't believe I was shelling out over $120 a month to AT&T a few years ago.
 
Came across this quote this morning from Tmo news.

Eventually though, look for MetroPCS and its brand to go away, as the new company is pushing the T-Mobile branding. Additionally, T-Mobile wants to use the MetroPCS CDMA service on the 1900MHz spectrum to HSPA+, a GSM technology. That means that your MetroPCS phone today likely won't work on the future T-Mobile network but that transition may take years.
 
Fuzzy13 said:
Came across this quote this morning from Tmo news.

Eventually though, look for MetroPCS and its brand to go away, as the new company is pushing the T-Mobile branding. Additionally, T-Mobile wants to use the MetroPCS CDMA service on the 1900MHz spectrum to HSPA+, a GSM technology. That means that your MetroPCS phone today likely won't work on the future T-Mobile network but that transition may take years.
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Inaressin that he'd say that as it flies directly Against the party line from Germany. (And he supposedly has good T-Mo contacts)

It's also Just a statement that appears to be based on nothing but his opinion. While he may be one of the best bloggers, the fact remains that he's Just That, a blogger.

Neither he nor anyone in this forum has legitimate clue #1 to what T-Metro will be in 5 years. I don't even think T-Mo is real sure of that yet. The more adamant someone is in their opinion of where they Know T-Metro will be 5 years from now the more I think they're ignorant, delusional, or both. Some also don't keep in mind that Germans are flyin the spaceship here. No offense meant there in the least but they Think differently than many other business people do. I *woudn't* necessarily think they'd make decisions that we in the U.S. would agree with.

The only real constant is change. The thing easy to forget is while T-Metro is changing, the others will change too. Maybe we'll like their change, maybe not. (Though admittedly, the other major carriers seem Very Resistent to being able to remove their heads from their asses.)

Bruce in Ocala, FL
 
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