Cell Phone Companies Merge

[DrPrepper1]

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/04/t-mobile-and-sprint-agree-to-merge-create-giant-to-rival-att-and-verizon/


Looks like Sprint and T-Mobile will be merging together. This will create 3 major carriers total. That means less competition and higher prices in the future (most likely). I am going to thinking about different options for my next phone. I will pay off my current one ( payment plan) and not get another one. We will try a smaller carrier or burner phones. This cell phone thing has gotten out of control...much like cable t.v. I am going to plan and prepare to get out while the getting is still good.

 

[jimLE]

i've been reading a lil bit here n there about it.and they did merge..i have a safelink phone..in which i'm already getting unlimited text.but limited minutes for each month.but yet.i can go buy a $20 card that'll let me have unlimited minutes as well..so i'll be doing that the 1st chance i get..

 

[Proud Prepper]

They didnt merge yet. There trying to, still have to get approval from all the government regulators, etc...

 

[Mountain trapper]

Didn't the government break up Bell Telephone Company years ago for getting too big, and for lack of competition? I guess it's ok now.

 

[Squirtgunsquirter]

Ma Bell was a slightly different deal, at the time. They owned the infrastructure, and were keeping competition down by either outright refusing to rent space on poles, or massively overcharging for line/switch use.

But yeah, they got broken up for being a monopoly. They must not have greased the right palms, or something. It seems like three carriers to service the entire US would be a monopoly as well.

I own a Tracfone. I like it.

 

[user 7704]

Didn't the government break up Bell Telephone Company years ago for getting too big, and for lack of competition? I guess it's ok now.

I was telling my daughter about how they broke them up and it's all happening again. Remember they called them all "baby Bells".

 

[Mountain trapper]

I was pretty young at the time, but what I remember about Ma Bell was that it worked.

 

[user 7704]

I was pretty young at the time, but what I remember about Ma Bell was that it worked.

You make me feel old. I was in college.

 

[DrHenley]

At one time Ma Bell even owned the telephones which you leased from them and would not allow you to buy your own phone. If you insisted on using a phone that wasn't supplied by Bell, you had to give them the phone, (they then owned it) pay a rewiring charge, and then LEASE your own damned phone back from Bell.

Yeah, they needed a comeuppance.

 

[DrPrepper1]

At one time Ma Bell even owned the telephones which you leased from them and would not allow you to buy your own phone. If you insisted on using a phone that wasn't supplied by Bell, you had to give them the phone, (they then owned it) pay a rewiring charge, and then LEASE your own damned phone back from Bell.

Yeah, they needed a comeuppance.

Sounds like the rinse and repeat story of today. They pretty much strong arm you into getting a phone from the service provider you are with.

 

[DrHenley]

Sounds like the rinse and repeat story of today. They pretty much strong arm you into getting a phone from the service provider you are with.

That might have been true a few years ago, but unlocked phones are easy to get now. At least for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

 

[DrPrepper1]

That might have been true a few years ago, but unlocked phones are easy to get now. At least for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

Really? Where would you look to find such a phone? I am interested.

 

[DrHenley]

EBay, Amazon, Best Buy...

Here is the one I bought recently at Best Buy:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/motoro...ne-unlocked-iron-gray/5956300.p?skuId=5956300

Works on Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Just pulled the SIM from the old phone, plugged in, turned it on, and it was connected. (Verizon)

Before that I had a Moto X Pure, also unlocked and compatible with all networks. I bought it refurbished at Best Buy for less than $200. I stepped on it last winter however and had to get a new phone.

 

[user 6493]

cell phones I hate them ,,,but if you must have one go prepaid no contracts and the phones are not that bad

 

[DrPrepper1]

EBay, Amazon, Best Buy...

Here is the one I bought recently at Best Buy:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/motoro...ne-unlocked-iron-gray/5956300.p?skuId=5956300

Works on Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Just pulled the SIM from the old phone, plugged in, turned it on, and it was connected. (Verizon)

Before that I had a Moto X Pure, also unlocked and compatible with all networks. I bought it refurbished at Best Buy for less than $200. I stepped on it last winter however and had to get a new phone.

Excellent! Thank you

 

[DrPrepper1]

EBay, Amazon, Best Buy...

Here is the one I bought recently at Best Buy:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/motoro...ne-unlocked-iron-gray/5956300.p?skuId=5956300

Works on Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Just pulled the SIM from the old phone, plugged in, turned it on, and it was connected. (Verizon)

Before that I had a Moto X Pure, also unlocked and compatible with all networks. I bought it refurbished at Best Buy for less than $200. I stepped on it last winter however and had to get a new phone.

What if you didn’t want to use it on a major carrier?

 

[DrHenley]

Depends on the carrier. Which ones are available there?

 

[DrHenley]

https://www.motorola.com/us/carrier-compatibility

There should be similar compatibility charts for other unlocked phones.

GG, I was using prepaid for my smartphones, and even used burner phones sometimes, but my wife was on a Verizon family plan with the kids (I had an ancient flip phone on the plan.) She tempted me into submitting to the plan by agreeing to buy me the most expensive phone Verizon had. LOL.

 

[DrPrepper1]

Depends on the carrier. Which ones are available there?

Metro PCS and Boost Mobile. I currently have one of the big main providers, but I would love to ditch all the big ones.

 

[DrHenley]

My phone is compatible with both.