t-mobile

T-Mobile, MetroPCS look to eat Sprint's prepaid lunch

A combining of T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS could make for a potent player in the rough-and-tumble prepaid business.

T-Mobile has over the past few years expanded its no-contract options for consumers, giving it a badly needed source of customer growth. MetroPCS, meanwhile, has long been an aggressive -- albeit small -- provider of prepaid services with experience in running a low-cost business.

Together, the companies could present a challenge to Sprint Nextel, long the biggest champion of no-contract services with multiple prepaid brands under its umbrella. T-Mobile and MetroPCS today touted the establishment of the "leading value-focused wireless carrier&… Read more

Wireless shakeup: T-Mobile to merge with MetroPCS

Deutsche Telekom, parent company to T-Mobile USA, said Wednesday it has struck a merger deal with prepaid regional carrier MetroPCS.

According to the agreement, MetroPCS shareholders will get $1.5 billion in cash and a 26 percent stake in the combined company. Deutsche Telekom will own the remaining 74 percent of the company.

The deal requires regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission and U.S. Department of Justice. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2013.

"We are extremely pleased to announce this transaction with MetroPCS, which enhances Deutsche Telekom's position in the … Read more

T-Mobile parent in talks for deal with MetroPCS

T-Mobile USA's parent, Deutsche Telekom AG, and MetroPCS confirmed today that they are in talks to combine operations.

Both companies sent out statements confirming recent speculation that a potential deal was brewing. Here are their respective comments:

Deutsche Telekom:

Deutsche Telekom is holding talks with the listed company MetroPCS with the aim of operating its subsidiary T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS within one company in which Deutsche Telekom would hold the majority of shares.

The talks are at a stage where significant issues have not yet been finalized, contracts have not yet been signed and the conclusion of the transaction … Read more

T-Mobile leases 7,200 cell towers to Crown Castle for $2.4B

T-Mobile USA has agreed to sell the rights to its network of cellular towers to Crown Castle for $2.4 billion as it looks to focus on its core operations.

T-Mobile has been shopping its 7,200 cell towers around for several years, seeing it as an easy way to bring in some badly needed cash that can be funneled into its network upgrade. The carrier has already committed to spending $4 billion over the next three years as it works to build out its 4G LTE network.

Under the agreement announced today, Austin, Texas-based Crown Castle will operate the … Read more

NTelos Wireless offers iPhone 5 with $50 discount

NTelos Wireless, a small regional carrier in Virginia, starts selling its iPhone 5 tomorrow, offering the popular phone with a $50 discount while selling other iPhone models for almost nothing.

The carrier released its pricing today, listing the iPhone 4S for $50 and the iPhone 4 for a penny. The coveted iPhone 5 starts at $149.99 for the 16GB model, $249.99 for the 32GB model and $349.99 for the 64GB model. Customers can pre-register here.

While it's a win for small carriers like NTelos, it's just another reminder for T-Mobile customers that they've been … Read more

T-Mobile exec says firm 'lost something' awaiting merger

LAS VEGAS -- T-Mobile lost its focus on customers while its $39 billion deal to be acquired by AT&T was being reviewed by regulators, said T-Mobile Chief Operating Officer Jim Alling.

On Tuesday, Alling addressed executives at the Competitive Carrier Association conference here. He explained how T-Mobile's long history of providing great customer service to its subscribers was interrupted by the merger and employees lost their focus.

"We lost something after the AT&T merger was announced," he said. "We fell out of balance. And now we have to regain the trust of … Read more

The 404 1,133: Where we put the Apple iPhone 5 on a pedestal (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Check out Scott Stein's comprehensive review of the Apple iPhone 5.

- Scott writes about the 5 things that surprised him about the iPhone 5.

- Apple delivers iOS 6, available for download now.

- First Look video of Apple's new Maps application.

- How to control your privacy settings on iOS 6.

- Apple Lightning Adapter adds life to your old gear.

- Sony unveils super slim PlayStation 3.

- … Read more

New T-Mobile CEO plans to bring cool back to the carrier

Don't expect a lot of big strategic changes to come to T-Mobile USA with new CEO John Legere taking the reins.

The wireless carrier, which is a distant fourth-place player in an industry dominated by Verizon Wireless and AT&T, has the right plan in place to return to growth -- it just needs to execute, Legere told CNET in an interview today.

"There are no real missing components in the arsenal," he said of the turnaround strategy.

T-Mobile continues to face challenges in catching up to its rivals and slowing down the loss of its … Read more

T-Mobile names Legere as new CEO

T-Mobile USA is getting a new chief executive.

Deutsche Telekom today announced that John Legere will become CEO of its T-Mobile USA business unit on Saturday.

"John is a talented and proven executive who brings a successful track record of leading and operating consumer- and business-focused telecommunications and technology companies," Rene Obermann, CEO of Deutsche Telekom, said in a statement. "As T-Mobile moves forward with its strategic initiatives to improve its market position, including expanding its network coverage and initiating LTE service, John has obviously the right skillset to lead the business into the future."

In … Read more

T-Mobile to offer nano-SIM cards for unlocked iPhone 5s-- report

T-Mobile will start carrying nano-SIM cards in mid October, allowing owners of unlocked iPhone 5s to jump to the carrier, according to a report.

The Verge says it's confirmed the news with T-Mobile, following a tweet that went out from @T-MobileHelp earlier in the week.

This past Wednesday -- the day Apple took the wraps off the iPhone 5 -- T-Mobile kicked off its "Unlocked & Unlimited" campaign, under which it will be carrying unlocked iPhones in its stores for demonstration purposes, airing national commercials inviting unlocked iPhone users into its stores, and launching a few of … Read more