Do you know anyone who still is on a T-Mobile phone? I know a few. That said, I was shocked when I looked it up — over 33 MILLION Americans are on T-Mobile!
My interest was peaked because of the big news that AT&T is acquiring T-Mobile. This will make AT&T the largest provider of wireless service in the U.S. by far — at around 130 million customers. Behind them will be Verizon with 96 million customers. From there, you have TracFone (17 million), MetroPCS (8 million), U.S. Cellular (6 million) and so on.
The first thought that I had? That it is nice to see a big American company like AT&T expanding, by gobbling up a European one. I am not protectionist, and am an advocate for fair and free trade. But we’re in a nationwide period of economic malaise — so seeing someone on the "home team" do well is a good thing.
My second thought was that 33 million people can now migrate out of the dark ages and get an iPhone!
My third thought was that I would be okay if the ad genius who did the now uber-viral T-Mobile Dance Commercial at the Liverpool Station didn’t come along with the deal. How annoying. (If you haven’t been subjected to it, I have placed the commercial below.)
Next thought: I hate pink — so I hope that T-Mobile’s "pinkness" gives way to AT&T’s "blue" logos.
A warning, though, to my friends in the "pink" network who are excited to now get the iPhone, don’t hold your breadth. The merger still needs to be signed off by Uncle Sam, with approvals needed by the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department. Hopefully they will have their act together and get with it – pronto!