http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/ Engadget Comments for Sprint's Hesse: there's 'logic' to a T-Mobile merger -- if they both move to LTE http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 10:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
and I love T-Mobile! ]]>Jul 13th 2010 10:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 10:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
I now pronounce you Husband and Wife

....well if one of you is female...hmm, this was a much better idea in my head...]]>Jul 13th 2010 10:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 10:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
Hey. It's legal in a few states ;)]]>Jul 13th 2010 10:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 11:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 11:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Hey, you got your T-Mobile in my Sprint!
Hey! You got your Sprint in my T-mobile!]]>Jul 13th 2010 11:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 11:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 11:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
The technology behind both is very similar. What are you talking about? ]]>Jul 13th 2010 11:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 11:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 11:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 11:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 11:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
This. This is a good thing. Here's hoping that Sprint and T-Mobile come together like Voltron.]]>Jul 13th 2010 11:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 11:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
802.16m >>> LTE-Adv

Stay with Wimax Sprint..

But in reality the issue is that there will simply be more people behind LTE due to suppliers (Ericsson & Nokia [they supply AT&T & VZW)>>> Motorola, whoever else [supplying Sprint & etc]) I'm sure it's not a cost or technology issue in reality. You have to go with the decisions of whoever supplies your network equipment. Maybe there's more money to profit from in LTE than Wimax for suppliers (doesn't make the technology better though, see Apple)]]>Jul 13th 2010 12:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
That's about as dumb as it gets. Remember, back in 2004, people (i.e., anyone EXCEPT Nextel subscribers) said that a merger between Sprint and Nextel would be KILLER because of Nextel's stellar CS and PTT, and Sprint's 3G network. Alas, we know how that has turned out: LOUSY!

T-Mobile would be wiser to simply take over Sprint, shut down the entire CDMA network, and then force Cleawire into converting to LTE and be done with it.]]>Jul 13th 2010 12:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
There is no way really for them to have octo-band phones, though, so someone is goig to have to move over to a GSM standard. Considering GSM is a world standard, it would make sense for Sprint to give in a bit.

I see only good things.]]>Jul 13th 2010 12:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Iden would be killed and used for 4g. The Nextel spectrum is ripe for some 4g]]>Jul 13th 2010 12:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/That would keep T-Mobile horrid coverage a get rid of Sprints great coverage]]>Jul 13th 2010 12:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
Just what Sprint needs adding another completely different wireless network in their fold.

CDMA and GSM

I hope they keep the two companies separate. ]]>Jul 13th 2010 12:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 1:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
Oh and don't get it twisted either. Wimax is going no where. Sprint owns like 55+% of Clearwire (data servicers and spectrum holders building out the Wimax network). Sprint has the most bandwidth for 4G technology, they can (and will) do both if they want to, especially if they get a hold of T-Mobile's soon to be HSPA+ network.]]>Jul 13th 2010 1:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
wimax is ghetto wifi with slow speeds of 2.5 mbps, which isnt even close to REAL 4g like LTE]]>Jul 13th 2010 1:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 2:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
I used to love Sprint - they had a good selection of phones and great prices.
Now they want anyone who had one of the good plans, to move to a new plan that is much more expensive than the old plans if you want to get a current technology phone like the EVO.
Tmobile still has great prices and you can get great phones however Tmobile's network sucks.

If T-mobile let you get the same plan they currently offer but on the Sprint network, I'd be thrilled. Then I could buy a verizon phone that I liked and put it on Sprint's network which is now LOCKED so you can't have the phone you want on Sprint currently.

Lately, Sprint never ceases to dissappoint.]]>Jul 13th 2010 2:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Fact! LTE is 3.9G; Wimax is like 3.75G]]>Jul 13th 2010 3:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 3:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 3:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 3:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
Just the opposite. All T-Mo would have to do is simply dump the Sprint antenna and replace them with T-Mo antenna when the time comes. How is that a bad thing? They'd have stellar coverage (well, better than it is now...since even Sprint itself has lousy coverage), and users could have HSPA+ download speeds...and then the company could worry about LTE later.]]>Jul 13th 2010 3:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
And then there are Nextel customers like myself who have had stellar service up until this merger, and have had lousy service and support ever since. So, yes, I think it's plenty fair. What's good for the goose (i.e., Nextel) is most assuredly good for the gander (i.e., Sprint). After all, Sprint hasn't respected a darn thing with regards to Nextel, so obviously you're talking out of both sides of your mouth. But hey...you are entitled to your opinion, no matter how wrong it is.]]>Jul 13th 2010 3:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 4:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 13th 2010 4:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
good luck with AT@T the dropped call leader. In 5 years with T mobile I've dropped 2 calls, ]]>Jul 13th 2010 9:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
"All T-Mo would have to do is simply dump the Sprint antenna and replace them with T-Mo antenna when the time comes."

And simply dump over half of the combined company's customers. Simple right?

Can you imagine how pissed off you'd be if your provider suddenly said to you after a merger:

Dear Sir/Madam,

We regret to inform you as of last night we will no longer be operating the network your device used. We apologize for the inconvenience turning your phone into a pretty little paperweight has caused. Please come into your nearest store and purchase a new phone which utilizes our new service to continue using your service.


Luckily, this sort of thing would not be happening for a few years at the earliest. When large national cell phone companies merge, for the FCC and other governing bodies to approve said merge, the combining companies must make assurances that there will not be a detrimental impact on current service for the customers.

Meaning, CDMA would be there to stay for at the very least a couple-to-few years down the line. And if the old Analog networks have shown, it will probably take upwards of a decade or more to make the complete changeover.

(The last vestiges of the analog AMPS networks were finally given the go-ahead for shutdown in the US around early 2008 or so after having been in service since the 80's)]]>Jul 13th 2010 11:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 14th 2010 2:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/I would say LTE-Adv >>>>> 802.16m
First LTE-Adv has already proven that it can meat the IMT Advanced requirements and exceed them.

Yes, there are much more resources behind LTE, all the big players support it. Some vendors like Nokia and Nortel did support both LTE and WiMAX but later dropped it and focused fully on LTE and TD-LTE.


From the suppliers point of view there is more money to be made with LTE/TD-LTE than on WiMAX, as the market is larger and it has better economics of scale. But for those few vendors who still makes WiMAX equipment it can prove to be a gold mine as there is much less competition. ]]>Jul 14th 2010 9:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
Fact! Laboratory tests figures don't improve your real world speeds! Its like those kids with stock hondas who think if they put enough stickers on it their car will be fast..

American 4G will be a step slower than European for the same reason every other American Wireless Network is behind.. Our companies cover virtually a whole continent while theirs cover states, less red tape and deployment issues..

And the latest WiMax ratification is well over 100mbps which is the technical barrier for 4G.. As of now there is NO 4G

In Laymen's terms WiMax and Lte are 4G tech because they are the 4th generation of wireless, are fundamentally superior to anything CDMA based such as EVDO rev B or HSPA+, and both use OFDMA...

So if you have a lab coat on WiMax isnt 4G to everyone else it is okay!]]>Jul 14th 2010 9:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
Incorrect. LTE doesn't meet the 4G IEEE standards and is, as you stated in reality 3.9G. But WiMax does meet industry standards and is there for true 4G. The problem we will see now that AT&T and Verizon implement LTE is that both carriers combined only own about 1/5th the spectrum that Sprint has and will suffer because of this. Add in the fact that LTE doesn't meet industry standards which in turn makes it not compliant with SOX. This means that many companies will not be able to use those carriers for data leaving Sprint as the only option.

LTE enhanced is up for IEEE approval this year, but neither Verizon, or AT&T have any plans to implement LTE enhanced for at least another 2 - 5 years. Meanwhile WiMax enhanced is also up for approval this year which will boost speeds by 70%, and all that is required to enjoy those enhanced speeds will be a software update to the current devices.

LTE peak speeds are currently at 10 - 20 Mbs, and the enhanced version (requires actual hardware upgrade) only ups those speeds by another 5 Mbs.

WiMax as it stands is capable of 40 Mbs (software caps on the devices though keep it in the 3 - 10 range), the enhanced version (software upgrade for all current devices) will increase the current speed to around 70 Mbs.

Add in that WiMax m is just around the corner as well, and will probably be approved and we will be seeing gigabit speeds giving WiMax the clear win.

Don't forget that WiMax is also already deployed in over 150 countries around the world, and is backed by Motorola, Intel, Hitachi, Huawei, NEC, Samsung, Sequans, UQ and ZTE. This all makes it look like LTE will be playing catch up for years to come, and may never actually catch up.]]>Jul 14th 2010 11:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Jul 14th 2010 4:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/Badass. ]]>Jul 13th 2010 10:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
Huge fan of tmobile (largely because I get no dropped calls and 3MB/s) - not such a big fan of sprint. I left sprint to go to tmobile :D

As long as they keep the speed, sim cards and the ability to drop a sim into a cheap pay-as-you-go phone (for when your phone is broken), I'll be ok with it.]]>Jul 13th 2010 10:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
Less competition can only result in higher prices, hell these guys are all practically in collusion as it is. ]]>Jul 13th 2010 11:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
Yes, you're exactly correct. Having only 3 national carriers probably will not be good for consumers, especially when the two cheapest are joining forces.]]>Jul 13th 2010 11:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
The new large entity will be overly bureaucratic and will have to raise prices to be Verizon and AT&T's levels. Except that the new entity will not be able to compete with Verizon (quality) or AT&T (iPhone exclusivity).]]>Jul 13th 2010 11:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/sprints-hesse-theres-logic-to-a-t-mobile-merger-if-they/
The Two cheapest carriers merge to survive.

Yeah, this has really bad idea written all over it.

Ask the around 3.2 Million Nextel customers just in the Northeast region that bailed on Sprextel.

]]>Jul 13th 2010 12:03PM