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MetroPCS (PCS -5.2%) and Leap Wireless (LEAP -3.5%) slide after T-Mobile decides to revive its...
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Wednesday, August 22, 2012, 11:29 AM ETMetroPCS (PCS -5.2%) and Leap Wireless (LEAP -3.5%) slide after T-Mobile decides to revive its unlimited data plans. Sprint (S -1.5%) is off slightly. Low-end carriers have clearly decided to challenge market leaders AT&T (T) and Verizon Wireless (VZ, VOD) on price, hoping the latter's de facto price hikes will leave them vulnerable. Will the AT&T/Verizon "duopoly" continue gaining share, or are their latest pricing moves an act of hubris that will backfire?
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This news story has 12 comments:
"We are NO long going to provide you texting with your current plan, if you would like to continue, you will have to up grade to a plan that will offer that!"
So, I said...Okay, I am out of here and I went to Sprint at 1/2 the cost for EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!
Beside. they can offer all of the "Unlimited" plans they want. When I had an unlimited plan with them...I STILL GO THROTTLED!!!!!!!!!
Why? Because they don't have the bandwidth...that's why! Go ahead, "unlimited" it up, you customers will still get throttled for the next 2 years.
Ha...Unlimited plan, right, see ya!
This is competition! If TMob couldn't afford to do it, they wouldn't. You have to remember that there are no COGS in offering cellphone service. The OPEX is maintenance and billing - administrative functions - and the CAPEX is where all the money goes. It is neither cheap nor easy to build a network and subsidize phones, but that's the business. You have to be smarter about those two things, and only Sprint has shown such smarts. Now everyone is scrambling to be competitive again.
S started this when it rolled out WiMAX as the first 4G service at the same time it made a conscious effort to right it's horrendous customer service record, AND make a push to be environmentally judicious. They are now the lead goose, despite the fact that T and VGZ are bigger. Sprint is setting the pace for the industry.
Just wait to see what happens with T-Mobile does not get the iPhone 5 in September... and people start leaving ATT and V for Sprint because of unlimited data.
It's kind of like going to your local 7-11 store on the corner, walk in for a 6 pack of beer, walk up to the counter, pay for it and then the lady behind the counter pulls two cans off.
So you ask her...'Excuse me, just paid for that!" Her response is; "I know, but everyone needs to share because other people want to drink the beer too, and we only have so much to go around, thank you coming and have a nice day!"
Here read the true story of this so called "unlimited" plan.
http://bit.ly/NIfVvA
I've never used their service, so I can't speak from personal experience, but I've NEVER HEARD ANYONE speak well of T-Mobile's service. I don't think it will matter what they do at this point. Sprint doesn't need them and T and VZ can't have them. Anyone leaving them will probably end up at Sprint by default, with T and VZ currently charging for data.
I love my TMobile thanks.
In NY my coverage is always there and i always have 4G.
WiFi calling is nice especially when you can do it overseas with no plan.