T-Mobile Begs Small Wireless Carriers To Support Its Awful Merger. The Problem: They Hate It Too

from the merge-ALL-the-things dept

We've repeatedly explained how T-Mobile and Sprint's latest attempt to merge will be terrible for both jobs and competition. Despite what T-Mobile and Sprint executives have claimed, history suggests the reduction of total wireless carriers from four to three will likely result in less incentive than ever to seriously compete on price. Similarly, while T-Mobile and Sprint have told regulators that the deal will somehow create an explosion in new jobs, Wall Street analysts have predicted that the deal could kill off anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 jobs as the new company inevitably eliminates redundant positions.

While some diehard T-Mobile and Sprint fans have bought into these claims, most objective observers with a firm grasp on history realize that the promised "synergies" of telecom mergers like this one almost never materialize. And the obvious impact on competition and jobs is a major reason this merger and others like it (including AT&T's attempt to acquire T-Mobile) have been scuttled by regulators. There's simply too many examples of this kind of consolidation resulting in massive monopolies with little incentive to give a damn (hi Comcast and AT&T, didn't see you standing there).

T-Mobile's looming merger is so unpopular, the company was forced to quietly hire Trump ally Corey Lewandowski in an effort to seal the deal (the whole mocking a kid with Down Syndrome thing be damned). Reuters notes that the company has also started reaching out to smaller wireless carriers, urging them to not only express support to the FCC, but submit favorable editorials to major papers supporting the merger. The problem: they don't much like the deal either:

"One wireless operator that works with T-Mobile said it received an email with suggestions on how to support the deal. The company declined to be named because it has concerns about how it would be affected in the merger.

The email from T-Mobile, seen by Reuters, suggested the company write an op-ed supportive of the deal or submit a letter of support to regulators. The email also offered talking points the company could use during media interviews, such as how the merger between the No. 3 and 4 U.S. carriers would help the build-out of a 5G network."

Countless news outlets (The Hill quickly comes to mind) simply adore publishing ostensibly "objective" editorials from parties without bothering to disclose obvious financial conflicts of interest. It's a pretty standard practice as companies try to sell regulators and the public on megamergers most people realize operate in stark contrast to the public interest. Worry not though, Reuters quotes one expert as saying there's perhaps "only a little" coercion going on as T-Mobile attempts to pressure smaller companies into supporting the deal if they want to enjoy future, productive relationships with the merged company:

"While it is not unheard of for companies pursuing mergers to ask vendors or customers for support, there could be a small amount of coercion going on, given that some of the smaller wireless companies have direct relationships with T-Mobile, said James Cox, a Duke Law School professor who specializes in corporate and securities law."

The problem for T-Mobile is that many of the same companies they're wooing now have repeatedly come out in opposition to the deal. For example, the National Wireless Independent Dealer Association has said the deal will be "devastating" for prepaid wireless consumers and the nation's 30,000 smaller wireless operators. Peter Adderton, co-founder of Sprint's Boost prepaid service, has also been making the rounds pointing out how the deal is decidedly terrible:

"Given that Sprint and T-Mobile are a dominant force in prepaid, they will have a significant incentive to restrict network access to competing MVNOs,” he says. “If the Boost Mobile and MetroPCS brands are included in this merger, it would be bad for the overall competitive landscape, bad for the prepaid market, bad for our country’s MVNOs and bad for the economy."

It's indisputable that T-Mobile competition has done some excellent things for the wireless industry in the form of added competition. But even with four major players that competition can often be theatrical in nature. And T-Mobile's consumer-friendly "uncarrier" branding schtick (and the hip and admittedly-amusing caricature that is CEO John Legere) is starting to look a little shallow in the wake of the company's opposition to net neutrality, bizarre attacks on the EFF, hiring of Corey Lewandowski, and now peddling of an indisputably-terrible new megaunion.

Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: competition, merger, mobile, mobile carriers, mobile operators, wireless
Companies: sprint, t-mobile


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  1. icon
    That One Guy (profile), 24 Aug 2018 @ 5:23am

    Less 'please', more 'or else'

    "While it is not unheard of for companies pursuing mergers to ask vendors or customers for support, there could be a small amount of coercion going on, given that some of the smaller wireless companies have direct relationships with T-Mobile, said James Cox, a Duke Law School professor who specializes in corporate and securities law."

    I'm not sure if 'begs' is quite the right word if it comes with an implied threat for refusal to comply. That strikes me as 'begging' in the same sense that 'should would be terrible if something were to happen to this place' is a friendly reminder from the local businessman to keep safety in mind.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. icon
    Stephen T. Stone (profile), 24 Aug 2018 @ 7:10am

    Goodfellas 2: Wireless Boogaloo

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    NWIDA, 24 Aug 2018 @ 7:54am

    Not exactly "devastating"

    As the President of the National Wireless Independent Dealer Association, let me clarify something.

    We are not against the merger, per se. We are, however, against it without a definitive statement about the indirect channel of both carriers. The "new T-Mobile" will not continue to have Boost, Metro PCS AND Virgin. It makes the most sense for them to jettison Boost and it's 8000 independent stores. To date, Peter Adderton is the only one who has said he would keep all 8000 and we support him in his efforts.

    Adam Wolf
    NWIDA

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. icon
    Anonymous Anonymous Coward (profile), 24 Aug 2018 @ 8:16am

    Re: Not exactly "devastating"

    Just what are the chances that any pre-merger promises will be kept? What promises have other companies made during the merger run up that have blatantly been ignored post merger? What is there about these companies that would make one think they would be any different?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. icon
    slap (profile), 24 Aug 2018 @ 8:35am

    Boost

    Isn't Boost part of Sprint, not T Mobile?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    PRMan, 24 Aug 2018 @ 9:08am

    Re: Boost

    Which is exactly why they would be the ones not to stick around.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    I.T. Guy, 24 Aug 2018 @ 9:14am

    Re: Not exactly "devastating"

    "To date, Peter Adderton is the only one who has said he would keep all 8000 and we support him in his efforts."

    Unless it's in something legally bounding it didn't happen.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    teka, 24 Aug 2018 @ 10:11am

    Re: Re: Not exactly "devastating"

    These companies have proven repeatedly that binding agreements, sworn statements and contracts don't mean anything the second it would be more convenient to ignore them.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. icon
    ECA (profile), 24 Aug 2018 @ 11:48am

    So..(reality check)

    #1..Corps pay for nothing
    #2 top wages NEVER go down, only up..

    So, how is the corp going to pay the BILLIONS, they spend to acquire another corp??

    YOU PAY IT..by a small increase in prices, and adding more fee's.. And after a short time...those Charges WONT be removed.. After its all paid..That extra money GOES WHERE????

    NOT to improve anything.
    Not Cellphone service, NOT the ISP, NOT Cable TV, NOt the phone services...Nothing, except to fill MORE pockets on top.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. icon
    ECA (profile), 24 Aug 2018 @ 12:04pm

    https://gizmodo.com/t-mobile-hacked-in-data-breach-that-hit-2-million-custo-1828574572

    T-Mobile released a statement on Thursday informing customers that it has experienced a data breach in which attackers were able to gain access to “certain information.” Limited details were immediately available but a spokesperson confirmed that around 2 million customers are believed to have been affected.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. identicon
    KLS, 10 Sep 2018 @ 11:02am

    this story.....

    This story is based on the writers opinion. I know how good this merger will be for both consumers and workers. Sprint has very few stateside call centers, T-mobile has many, and will target to open more.
    T-mobile CEO is a no BS kinda guy. he will not say one thing and do the exact opposite. if he says he will lower prices he will.
    T-mobile currently is the most profitable Cellular Provider in the US. but yet they cost less than Verizon and AT&T. and they pay their people fairly. Their benefits are good as well.

    do NOT fall for this kind of smut story. it is pathetic to see and probably something that is being written under instruction of ATT or CWA Union....

    link to this | view in thread ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.