AND FOR VERIZON AND AT&T
CUSTOMERS?
T-Mobile was instrumental in pushing
the more established players to be more
consumer friendly, doing away with two-year
phone contracts and offering unlimited data
plans. T-Mobile has offered goodies for its
customers like free or discounted Netflix and
free international data. With just three major
providers, the worry is that there would be less
incentive to add services that consumers like or
to compete on price.
T-Mobile has promised not to raise prices
for three years, but after that, it’s fair game.
But T-Mobile CEO John Legere said that
the company will continue to be the “Un-
carrier” and keep Verizon, AT&T and others on
their toes.
“Look out Dumb and Dumber and Big Cable –
we are coming for you... and you haven’t seen
anything yet!” Legere said in a statement. Legere
is stepping down as CEO in April; T-Mobile Chief
Operating Officer and president Mike Sievert will
replace him.
In his ruling, Judge Victor Marrero in New York
said he found T-Mobile’s promises credible.
SO WILL PHONE BILLS GO UP OR DOWN?
Opinion is divided.
Generally, fewer competitors mean higher
prices, which is why the Department of Justice
required the companies to sell part of its
business to Dish to keep the number of major
wireless providers at four. This is also central to
the states’ challenge to the deal.