MobilizeEverything | AT&T Public Policy Blog

This is what AT& T posted on their blog. See my comments immediately following.

Posted by: AT&T Blog Team on March 22, 2011 at 3:16 pm

So, we’ve made some news this weekend. In case you missed it, we announced on Sunday we have agreed to acquire T-Mobile USA from German-owned Deutsche Telekom.

The deal will undergo a thorough review by the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission. We understand that Congress, the DOJ, the FCC, as well as wireless consumers will have questions about the transaction. We look forward to answering and addressing those questions.

We are confident that the facts will demonstrate that the deal is in the public interest (FCC focus) and that competition (DOJ focus) will continue to flourish. For example, a large majority of Americans today can choose from at least five wireless providers offering nationwide service. Also, the transaction will allow us to expand the next generation of mobile broadband to 95% of the U.S. population – up from 80% as previously planned – covering an additional 46.5 million Americans, a key objective of the Administration.

For further information on the transaction, and to stay informed of the latest news and information as the process moves forward, please visit www.MobilizeEverything.com.

MobilizeEverything | AT&T Public Policy Blog

I really do not like or agree with this merger. From my personal experience, T-Mobile is the better run company in terms of service and Customer service. I never have dropped calls and if I need assistance – I can call and someone is on the phone within a minute. Their G-4 phone is the best on the market and way out performs the i-phone. I have personally tested my G4 against 3 i-phones and won each and every time. My past experience was not good with AT&T customer service and I know others who have the service and have switched recently or are considering switching. Then I also hear that T-mobile users will have to purchase new 3G phones once this merger goes through. I have a family plan and 4 of my phones are brand new 3G phones. If this is so, AT&T – you need to pay for new phones for everyone who needs to switch with a phone of equal or greater value. I have been with T-Mobile for 3 years now and I loved their service. If this goes through, it will be bad for the market, but if it does go through – you should think about replacing all your customer service people with those from T-Mobile. I also have unlimited Web – Everyone I know with AT&T’s plan hates it. If this goes through, all T-mobile customers with unlimited Web should be allowed to keep the service just as it is now. IF you want to join in and write to your Congressional Representative, you can look them up here: http://www.contactingthecongress.org/

This is my sample letter I have sent to them:

I really do not like or agree with this merger. This would be bad for the market. It would limit competition and eventually increase pricing even further.. I remember when the government broke up AT&T, now we are moving back in the direction of monopolies. I understand how government works though, so I am assuming this may somehow be approved. IF so, here are some of my thoughts and stipulations that should be required:

I see that T-mobile users will have to purchase new 3G phones once this merger goes through. This can be a great cost for many consumers. If this is so, AT&T should be required to pay for new phones for everyone who needs to switch with a phone of equal or greater value.

Unlimited Web - If this goes through, all T-mobile customers with unlimited Web should be allowed to keep the service just as it is now, without a price increase. After all T-mobile's current plan is actually unlimited, unlike that of AT&T. AT&T advertises unlimited Web, but they limit it.

AT&T boasts that this merger would actually be good for the market and keep pricing down or even lower it - if so, make them prove that by not raising any plan prices or altering what is included in a plan unless it adds to the plan. Require them to prove they can offer service for less.

Thanks for listening!

Sincerely,