http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/ Engadget Mobile Comments for AT&T in the market for Leap Wireless? http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/
CricKet uses 1700MHz and 1900MHz CDMA networks with some EvDO sprinked here and there. AT&T is 850 and 1900MHz GSM/WCDMA/HSPA.

Sure, they're both thinking about LTE, but probably not soon enough to avert a train wreck if AT&T buys Leap.

Besides, AT&T's equivalent unlimited plan costs 3x what CricKet's does.

Last but not least, AT&T would have to buy Leap AND MetroPCS to get back to #1 in this wireless dogfight.

And no, I don't want unlimited carriers going away AT ALL. Though if Leap and MetroPCS, which mostly have diverse coverage footprints, were to merge, i'd be down with that.]]>May 21st 2009 3:13PMhttp://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket_Wireless]]>May 21st 2009 4:04PMhttp://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/You make very valid points regarding the combination of AT&T and Leap. However, I don't think they are concerned with the integration nightmare your refer to.
AT&T runs the risk of bleeding customers to low level carriers without a similar offering to compete on that level. Sprint sort of lucked out, and will uses Boost Mobile to compete. Verizon will also have any issue over time. The Cell phone market is completely saturated right now. The last thing AT&T wants is to get into that low level price war. So a good counter attack would be to buy Leap or any other rapidly growing low cost provider. Otherwise if these small guys get too big, they will cost too much in the future and would have stolen a chunk of marketshare.
There is a cost of doing nothing!
]]>May 21st 2009 4:42PMhttp://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/
All ATT is trying to do is kill their competition before it takes a bigger bite out of its wallet. This is not in the interest of the consumer.

Even the iPhone didnt' give ATT the most wireless net adds for last quarter among the top 4 so I'm sure they're starting to feel the heat even if ever so slightly. ]]>May 21st 2009 5:23PMhttp://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/
Big Guys:
AT&T: uses GSM Technology
Verizon: uses CDMA technology
T-Mobile uses GSM technology
Sprint: Uses CDMA and IDEN technology

Besides AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon you have:
US Cellular (www.uscc.com) uses CDMA technology

Southern LINC (www.southernlinc.com) which uses IDEN so it only makes sense as a Sprint buy.

MetroPCS (www.metropcs.com) uses CDMA technology so it only makes sense as a Verizon or Sprint buy or a merger with Leap/Cricket.

Cricket/Leap (www.mycricket.com) uses CDMA technology so it only makes sense as a Verizon or Sprint buy or a merger with MetroPCS.

MNVOs:
Virgin Mobile, Quest Wireless (www.questwireless.com) and Boost Mobile use Sprints Network.
Tracphone uses everyone.

]]>May 21st 2009 6:10PMhttp://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/May 21st 2009 10:01PMhttp://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/May 22nd 2009 12:42AMhttp://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/
HAPPY TO BE w/ the #2 wireless carrier in the United States. 10 years and going no where. :)]]>May 22nd 2009 5:37AMhttp://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/May 22nd 2009 11:49AMhttp://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/http://engmobdev.weblogsinc.com/2009/05/21/atandt-in-the-market-for-leap-wireless/May 22nd 2009 9:11PM