Time to Start the Sprint Deathwatch?

I have been one of the (few?) customers who has been pretty satisfied overall and I wonder if the grass is really greener elsewhere?

I have been with Sprint since something like 1997. Not out of any loyality. Every time my contract comes up, I go shopping for the best plan that includes roaming, data, SMS, etc... and everytime no one can beat the deal I can get with Sprint. So then I sign up again. I have had my share of issues, but they have never failed to (eventually) fall in my favor.

I would be watching to see if there are any incentives to ride the transition if bought out or to jump ship...again just a matter of who is willing to offer the best deal.

Funny - Alltel would buy out the company they lease their bandwidth from!

Yes, that would be an interesting deal to watch happen.

Talk about living on the edge. . . . owning a PalmOS Sprint Treo.

Bah, get the Linux one and give that one to your daughter.....it's only fashionable for a youngin' to keep a phonr 6 months anyway.

As for the "impending death", let's be real 54 million subscribers is not that far below the 63.7 / 67.4 of Verizon and AT&T. Though ya gotta remeber too that 1/3 of Sprint customers are iDEN only. Nevertheless, I think several things hurt Sprint.

1. Investing big bucks in being the 1st to get near saturation with 3G. Real hot topic here in "nerd central", but of little notice to the other 99.5% of the population. The "wow" factor of internet e-mail and web access is wearing off. It's a niche need and that niche is small. Now that everyone has it, it's not so unique anymore and peeps are finding that they really don't need to type out a 4 paragraph response with one thumb while standing, holding the strap,on a rocking subway train.....it can wait 10 minutes till ya get to the office.

Businesses said, uhmmm.....it really doesn't make sense for everyone to have a Treo / Crackberry .... just the guys on the road all day. While I am currently thinking of dropping our land line service and installing an exterior / interior antenna and amp setup for the house, I am also thinking of dropping my MediaMax as 99/100 times when I see an e-mail in my Treo, I wait till I get to my laptop to answer it....or I just call them back.

2. Being the cheapest......continually putting out plans with the lowest cost has them with the lowest income per customer allowing rivals to outspend them.

3. With all that cash, AT&T / Verizon must outspend them I would guess, based upon what I see on TV, at least 5 to 1.

4. Having less cash coming in while rolling out all those 3G upgrades means less money for new towers, less money for customer service, less money for quality control leading many to believe that their service was the cheapest but that they were getting what they paid for.

5. The "all brands" brick and mortar" stores have been dropping Sprint faster than the the 2008 republican presidential candidates are dropping support for Dubya....at least around here. Way back when I went into an all brands store to buy a Sprint 650 when they came out. I was given a Treo to play with, turned on the screen....no signal.....went outside no signal.....walked back in the store and before I could say a word, the store owner said, "We are supposed to get the Cingular ones in January". That store no longer sells Sprint....At least 4 others that I know of within 10 miles or so of where I live (USA's 22nd largest metro area) have done the same. Hard to sell a phone where you get no signal at the very store it's being sold in. I have to travel about 4 miles to get a Sprint signal. Have verizon phone built into car w/ booster, have to travel 1.5 miles for signal. AT&T tower is 6200' from house.

6. Sprint / Nextel - The association with Nextel and public annoyance to all the squawk while waiting on line at the deli has hurt their image. Kinds getting their 1st phones tell their parents, "I don't want the kind that makes those squawking noises." They have even become the butt of comedians like Joe Rogan who use lines like "What's with Sprint / Nextel ?.....whose stupid idea was it to put a walkie talkie in a phone ? Could we put even older technology in there ? How about jungle drums or smoke signals ?" And yes of course you don't have to get the feature with all Sprint phones but the association is still a negative on to the less informed regular customer.

7. The iPhone. Even if the user doesn't want it, makes AT&T look like the "major player".

Now I have friends in other parts of the country where they say the opposite is true, that they get much better sprint signals and I am sure that this is the case. I am not saying the other carriers are better, I am saying that they are perceived by the general public to be better.

Most phone selection is not done on an actual review of features and performance but how the buyer perceives the device as part of their image. This is well evidenced by the fundamentalist fervor which peeps feel about their phone choices. The salesman who takes a client out to a fancy joint for lunch in his Lexus, wearing an armani suit, and paying with his American Express platinum credit card doesn't want to leave that Sprint Phone on the table. Why not ? He's trying to portray an image. he wants to portray that he is successful and can afford all this stuff, he also wants to show that he is serious about business. Don't ya watch TV.....Verizon is the "Business Choice", AT&T has the fewest dropped calls.....Sprint has, er.....what....I don't remember.....haven't seen a commercial in so long.

I love Sprint's economical pricing plans. If I could get a signal I'd be using it. I negotiated one for my professional society similar to the one the realtors have which is talked about in many threads here at TC. We have 2700 members.....3 existing Sprint users have moved under the plan.....about two dozen existing users checked into it and the 24% was just about equal to what they were paying under a mid size corporate plan. No one has switched to Sprint in the 1st year of the plan being in place.....the second year is almost over and I should be getting data in a couple of weeks.

I called AT&T, Verizon .....had AT&T regional account executives in my office. Showed them our Sprint deal and tried to get them to offer something similar. Their response was "You have 2700 potential customers, we have close to 50% of them alreday. Suppose we get a churn form our competitors such that we pick up a third of what we don't have with this deal, that's 25% of your membership. That's 16% more income we'd get out of this deal but to get it we get we give up 24% of our current income.....doesn't make business sense for us to do that.

After all these years why hasn't AT & T and Verizon responded to Sprints lower plan costs ? Cause they didn't have to. Sprint went with "We got the most 3G" advertising plan and nobody noticed.

Remember back in January 2006 or so when AT&T had like 50 HSDPA towers and was predicting they'd be done by end of year ? What happened ? They stopped building them and no one noticed.

To recover, they outta do some Ross Perot style advertising.

-Show peeps downloading a song or whatever and a scroll bar showing sprint finishing first with the progress bar image. Show graphical comparisons between Sprint 3G penetration an competitors.
-Publicize their cheap plans, not make them some big secret like SERO and others. Then show the cost of the plan in similar graphic style like a progress bar showing a teenager's bank account going up and up each month with the money he / she saves on the Sprint plan.

I hope Sprint doesn't slide as I think they are just about the only thing keeping the others from raising prices.

BTW, here's the latest stats in millipons of customers I could find on the "Big 4" (AT&T / Verizon / Sprint / TMobile).

AT&T - 65.7 (Added 2000k customer net in quarter, 585k from new phones)
Verizon - 63.7 (Added 1800k customers net in quarter, 200k from new phones)
Sprint - 53.96 (lost 370k customers net in quarter, 194k came in w/ new phones)
Tmobile - 27.7 (too long to read :) )

http://www.att.com/Investor/Growth_Profile/download/master.pdf
http://investor.verizon.com/news/view.aspx?NewsID=863
http://newsreleases.sprint.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=127149&p=irol-newsArticle_newsroom&ID=1070801
http://www.download-telekom.de/dt/StaticPage/47/25/28/071108_DTAG_2007_Q3_report.pdf_472528.pdf

Here's an interesting aside:

Among the Big 4:

96.1 GSM customers
97.8 CDMA Customers
01.2 CDMA / iDEN customers
18.7 iDEN only customers

Will USA GSM equal / pass CDMA this year (At least among the big 4) ?

By my quick count among the other 14 US cell companies, CDMA has about a 18 million advantege still.

Now if they go the ways of the Evil Empire ATT/Verizon (data caps, ungodly expensive data plans, with zero reasons to justify the higher cost) ....

I have never understood where these "expensive" rumors come from.

I pay $89.95 / month for voice on 5 phones with AT&T and have seven thousand + rollover minutes stored up.

I pay $19.99 for unlimited internet and 200 text messages on my Treo 650 though I have never sent a text message in my life.

My 17 year old son has an Apple iPhone ..... part of the $89.95 above is his share of the voice charge at $9.99 and we just put on a $5 adder to the unlimited internet / 200 text message plan so he would get unlimited text messaging.....So our bill is $89.95 (voice - 5 phones) + $19.99 (my data) + $24.99 (son no. 1's data) + $4.99 (son no. 2's text messaging + $0.00 (youngest's phone has no data capability)

I recognize that Sprint has some special plans which can beat that, but I don't think the tag "ungodly expensive" applies.

Now do I think that Sprint's low prices helps keep AT&T and Verizon from raising their prices ? Yes, certainly.

I have never understood where these "expensive" rumors come from. I pay $89.95 / month for voice on 5 phones with AT&T and have seven thousand + rollover minutes stored up. I pay $19.99 for unlimited internet and 200 text messages on my Treo 650 though I have never sent a text message in my life. ...

I moved from Verizon to Sprint last September. For two phones with unlimited data, I'll be saving well over $1000 per year after moving to Sprint. In my book, that would make the Verizon plan pretty "expensive"! Looking at the ATT Plans, I see I could get a "family plan" for $89, plus $20 per line for two lines for data = $129. I pay $60 for two lines with Sprint, so ATT is over twice the cost -- not quite as expensive as Verizon, but still over $800 more expensive than under Sprint.

Actually, I think I've had better service and connections under Sprint than I had with Verizon. I'm very happy with them and sure hope they continue. Hopefully they'll get things figured out soon and start moving back in the right direction.

Sprint wouldn't have to close stores if they would stop subsidizing that Okie Down Home Left Turn Only Auto Racing Stuff...........

And the NFL and PGA Tour.........

And as Jack said above, you can not find data package pricing on the website (I have the $15/mo PV plan, but I have it for free) unless you sign in or sign up it appears. If they would just focus on some fundamentals (why so many data plans?), not screw up billings and do some advertising that makes sense - they might do ok. Complicated plans and a crappy billing system is one reason people have to call and get crappy service. Eliminate the reasons people have to call you and half the battle is won.

Man, I tell you what, a buyout by Alltel wouldn't bother me in the least. At least then maybe my 6800 wouldn't count Alltel as roaming and freeze up on me.

Are you using the old ROM that was pulled back because of that error? There is an updated ROM that reportedly does not have that problem.

Sprint SERO beat all..

Seems like we ain't comparing apples and apples here. I just looked up all the carriers rates and they are all $89.99 on a 2 line family plan. The 1400 minute plan under AT&T is $89.99 for two phones. http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/family-cell-phone-plans.jsp The Sprint Power Pack Family Plans is also $89.99 http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/SubmitRegionAction Verizon has a 1400 minutes per month plan at $89.99 per month: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=familyShare&action=viewFSPlanList&typeId=2&subTypeId=2&catId=323 Seems to me the only difference I can see between the plans is w/AT&T where it offers rollover minutes and the others don't mention it. Now of course you can be eligible for certain discounts as a long time customer, or member of a certain group with any of them under specific conditions but again, this isn't apples and apples. I tried to look up Sprint's currently offered data plans but the site now has obfuscated the options pretty well....I gave up after 10 minutes. :)

You are missing the Sprint SERO plans:

500 minutes + unliminted internet + unliminted texts = $30
1250 minutes + unliminted internet + unliminted texts = $49.99

If you need 2 phones, then just get two 500 minute plans. That is just $60 and it includes as much data and texting as you want. Nights start at 7 so that's not too bad.

read more about signing up here: http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.php?catid=18&threadid=680568

Looking at the ATT Plans, I see I could get a "family plan" for $89, plus $20 per line for two lines for data = $129. I pay $60 for two lines with Sprint, so ATT is over twice the cost -- not quite as expensive as Verizon, but still over $800 more expensive than under Sprint.

Where are these plans ? Again, apples and apples. You say "you" get this $60 deal; why ? Why isn't this $60 deal on their web site ?

You are missing the Sprint SERO plans:

I am missing the Sprint SERO plans cause it's not apples and apples. Can any regular Joe get a SERO plan ? The only SERO users I know of are hanging out here and this forums constituency represents only a small share of Sprint customers. Without access to the secret universal e-mail, you outta luck. AT&T has a program if you attend / work for a university. AT&T has a plan if you work for any branch of government.

Also, 1) family plan savings eat up the SERO savings and 2) if you a Sprint customer, can not port numbers and 3) Unlimited texting ends in 3 weeks also.

SERO also has diminishing returns as members in family plan increases.

Here's my costs under AT &T $60 (1st 2 phones) +$30 (3 phones) +25 (Sons data) +20 (my data) = $135
Here's my costs under SERO 5 x $50 = $150
I think I'd might even be better off using my prof society discount of 24% than SERO .... moot point cause there's no signal here.

But I am all for getting whatever discount programs you can weasle ya way into. But my point was, unless you can get into one of these plans, the big three are all charging the same thing to the average Joe / Josephine

2) if you a Sprint customer, can not port numbers and 3) Unlimited texting ends in 3 weeks also.

Both of these are not totally true.

When you sign up for Sero on the web you can port your number right there or when you get the phone to activate it. Also, existing Sprint customers can and have ported numbers or had their accounts switched to Sero (like me).

Unlimited Texting is basically permanent. It also "expired" on Dec 31 and they generally keep renewing it--it's been "free" for about 6 months now, maybe even longer and before then it came and went.

Here's my costs under AT &T $60 (1st 2 phones) +$30 (3 phones) +25 (Sons data) +20 (my data) = $135 Here's my costs under SERO 5 x $50 = $150 I think I'd might even be better off using my prof society discount of 24% than SERO .... moot point cause there's no signal here.

Right, but it should be noted that the Sero plans all get unlimited data, whereas you plan just has 2 lines (if I read that correctly). I mean what would happen if you added 3 more data accounts to your AT&T service?

Unlimited SMS = add $30
Data = add $60 or higher

Either way, we're splitting hairs here. Point is, if you can spend a couple of minutes on the internet looking up deals, getting Sero is pretty simple and for all that you get, including that unlimited 3g data and SMS, it is the best deal around, assuming you have good cell service in your area.

Both of these are not totally true.

I'm only going by what is posted on the fatwallet and Sprint sites. Considering Sprint's financial condition, I think it's a bit of a leap to say for sure what they will do when current programs expire.

Right, but it should be noted that the Sero plans all get unlimited data, whereas you plan just has 2 lines (if I read that correctly). I mean what would happen if you added 3 more data accounts to your AT&T service?

The other three phones are not data capable....and they new so won't be changed for about 1.5 years.

Another consideration is that with five (5) separate SERO plans, I can't pay five separate bills out of my business account. Wife is my bookkeeper so business pays for the data and two phones.....all **I** pay outta that bill out of my own pocket is $9.99 x 3 for the kiddies.

So, Sprint customers: will you go down with the ship or jump off? Read more at http://www.wmexperts.com/articles/tine_to_start_the_sprint_death.html

Sprint is not going anyplace... somebody would buy them first.

Sprint is not going anyplace... somebody would buy them first.

Exactly. No Sprint customer will wake up one day to a phone with no signal a la Amp'd Mobile. Worse comes to worse it will be a repeat of the old troubled ATT wireless being bought out by Cingular back in 04. That will hold true for all those cheap plans. If Sprint gets bought out it will be increasingly difficult to hold on to them as time goes by. Forced migrations anyone??

Seems like we ain't comparing apples and apples here. I just looked up all the carriers rates and they are all $89.99 on a 2 line family plan. The 1400 minute plan under AT&T is $89.99 for two phones. http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/family-cell-phone-plans.jsp The Sprint Power Pack Family Plans is also $89.99 http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/SubmitRegionAction Verizon has a 1400 minutes per month plan at $89.99 per month: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=familyShare&action=viewFSPlanList&typeId=2&subTypeId=2&catId=323 Seems to me the only difference I can see between the plans is w/AT&T where it offers rollover minutes and the others don't mention it. Now of course you can be eligible for certain discounts as a long time customer, or member of a certain group with any of them under specific conditions but again, this isn't apples and apples. I tried to look up Sprint's currently offered data plans but the site now has obfuscated the options pretty well....I gave up after 10 minutes. :)

As far as apples to apples...we have to look at the amount of bite we get per buck. Sprint's family plan includes 7PM-7AM night and 7PM Friday-7AM Monday weekend as where verizon only offers 9PM -6AM nights and 12AMmidnight Friday/Saturday morning-12AM Sunday night/Monday Morning...not a lot of free time for the equivelant plan with Verizon and Sprint doesn't restrict any content with its data plan as apposed to Verizon. PowerVision starts as low as 15$-25$ as where Verizon is around a healthy 45$ for the same EVDO 3G network in which case Sprint is a little snappier at 1800mHz...a little more bang. I honestly don't know much about ATT and I don't feel like taking the time...I just know I have been with all three in the past 7 years and found I got the most for my buck with Sprint. Verizon won't even allow 7PM unlimitted talk time at any cost

Hoo boy! Now some key executives are leaving... :cry:

That is normally a step in the right direction... I know of someone in palm who has stayed beyond his usefulness. Hopefully sprint won't have that issue.

As far as apples to apples...we have to look at the amount of bite we get per buck. Sprint's family plan includes 7PM-7AM night and 7PM Friday-7AM Monday weekend as where verizon only offers 9PM -6AM nights and 12AMmidnight Friday/Saturday morning-12AM Sunday night/Monday Morning...not a lot of free time for the equivelant plan with Verizon and Sprint doesn't restrict any content with its data plan as apposed to Verizon. PowerVision starts as low as 15$-25$ as where Verizon is around a healthy 45$ for the same EVDO 3G network in which case Sprint is a little snappier at 1800mHz...a little more bang. I honestly don't know much about ATT and I don't feel like taking the time...I just know I have been with all three in the past 7 years and found I got the most for my buck with Sprint. Verizon won't even allow 7PM unlimitted talk time at any cost

I don't think it matters much... it all depends on the person and what they are getting in their world. I'm saving $79 per month since I'm with sprint vs. Verizon's old plan. ATT I won't touch, the service is not there for me in my area.

Obviously JackNaylorPE has sold himself on att, so he won't back down now... and after seeing some of the comments about sprint, I'd say he would make himself believe att is "better" no matter how twisted the argument gets.

All good though, everyone is sold on one service or another... well, I'm not really sold on sprint, but I love having that extra $79 in my pocket every month. Numbers don't lie....

As far as apples to apples...we have to look at the amount of bite we get per buck. Sprint's family plan includes 7PM-7AM night and 7PM Friday-7AM Monday weekend as where verizon only offers 9PM -6AM .....

Yes, Verizon does have stricter rules .....why, cause they can get away with it. Their business marketing has been very successful. Then again AT&T offers the same evening times and has rollover minutes....as well as unlimited data for $19.99. All I am saying is that the costs are comparable for the "Average Joe" unless you have a pre-existing or can get into a special plan....and each vendor has numerous special plans with widely varying eligibilityr equirements.

I don't think it matters much... it all depends on the person and what they are getting in their world. I'm saving $79 per month since I'm with sprint vs. Verizon's old plan. ATT I won't touch, the service is not there for me in my area. Obviously JackNaylorPE has sold himself on att, so he won't back down now... and after seeing some of the comments about sprint, I'd say he would make himself believe att is "better" no matter how twisted the argument gets. All good though, everyone is sold on one service or another... well, I'm not really sold on sprint, but I love having that extra $79 in my pocket every month. Numbers don't lie....

True...I look at it one way. The corporate dogs do whatever is possible to maximise profits being job termination of the working class be it white collar or blue, so why don't we as people maximise our profit of income and not pay their high prices if applicable and terminate them for cheaper cost. Works for them so why not for us. Corporate competition is good for the consumer so prices can drop. I would figure Sprints data pricing would be a problem for Verizons steep pricing but I guess not when Sprints competing with Verizons stellar network brings the balance. Sprint has to stay a float because I won't get gouged at Verizon and I'd I had to I wouldn't use data and just stick to my notebook. I can afford Verizons pricing but I try to think like the corporate dogs...not when I can get the same for cheaper as long as the coverage is good. I will go to ATT before Verizon if possible.

Yes, Verizon does have stricter rules .....why, cause they can get away with it. Their business marketing has been very successful. Then again AT&T offers the same evening times and has rollover minutes....as well as unlimited data for $19.99. All I am saying is that the costs are comparable for the "Average Joe" unless you have a pre-existing or can get into a special plan....and each vendor has numerous special plans with widely varying eligibilityr equirements.

I see your point.

Obviously JackNaylorPE has sold himself on att, so he won't back down now... and after seeing some of the comments about sprint, I'd say he would make himself believe att is "better" no matter how twisted the argument gets..

Not at all. First of all I am not "sold on AT&T" as I have both a AT&T and a Verizon phone. Why ? .... because i can get signals on those carriers. The fact is you can't even find a store here that will sell you a Sprint phone. The three closest to my home / office have all dropped Sprint products swithin the last 2 years because, as what happened when I went into look at the Treo 650 when it came out, you walk outside the store and you can't make a call....there is no signal. And this in the 22nd largest Metro area in the USA.

What comments I have made about Sprint plans are unarguable. Where's the twists ?

1. If you go on there web site, their advertised plans are identical to the ones by AT&T and Verizon. The only differences are that AT&T has rollover (I have 7k minutes stored at the moment) and data plans with verizon's being significantly more expensive.

2. In my particular case, my 5 phone plan with AT&T is the cheapest one available. 5 SERO phones on Sprint is more expensive than what I have now.... though not really a consideration since there is no signal.

Every carrier has "special" plans which if you dig you can find out about. If as you say I am "sold on AT&T" why did I set up a 24% discount for my professional society where any New York State member would get 24% off their sprint bill ? Less than a handful of our 2,600 members have taken advantage of the offer, I can't say why. We tried to negotiate a similar deal with AT&T and Verizon but were turned down. They did offer alternative plans if we were members of government agency, working or attending universities and a host of others.

In short:

1. The advertised voice plans form each of the big 3 carriers are almost always identical in price.

2, Verizon has a disadvantage in that it has shorter "evening hours".

3. AT&T has advantage with rollover.

4. Verizon's data plans are steeper than the competition. Sprint and AT&T are comparable though I had trouble finding Sprint's advertised rates right now.

5. Every carrier has special plans and, all things like reception being equal, you should evaluate all these plans before making a decision.

Finally, it's no secret that Sprint is in dire financial shape. If you haven't signed up for a special rate plan as yet, suggest doing it fast as the likelihood of them being renewed is shrinking.

I love the act that Sprint exists because I think they are keeping prices on the other carriers down. Simple fact is, Sprint is NOT cheaper for my phones / usage and no matter how cheap a plan is, it ain't worth a damn if you can't get a signal.

What comments I have made about Sprint plans are unarguable. Where's the twists ?

Basically because not everyone is in the same boat as you are... we are on a forum full of "those in the know." Why are we worried about "advertised rates?" It is cool... my "advertised rate" from sprint was $79 cheaper than anything from verizon and more than likely att as well (same minutes -- did not check ATT, no time to waste right now).

Rollover? How about free? That beats roll over. :D

suggest doing it fast as the likelihood of them being renewed is shrinking

Where did you read that? When will they go away?

Simple fact is, Sprint is NOT cheaper for my phones / usage

That could be argued... it really depends on what you are trying do... but in your case, maybe it is true. I'm sure I could find something better though... but who knows. With rollover minutes (that a teen could go through) and starting later, I'm not sure ATT would be the best deal for everyone.

and no matter how cheap a plan is, it ain't worth a damn if you can't get a signal.

You got that right!

All good though, everyone is sold on one service or another... well, I'm not really sold on sprint, but I love having that extra $79 in my pocket every month. Numbers don't lie....

Amen. That's exactly how I feel. We're saving at least that much, and in my case Sprint's service has been soooo much better than Verizons was. :thumbsup:

Just read this article: http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/4-Companies-That-Could-Disappear-By-Years-End-91444 Sprint is listed together with Motorola, AMD and Quest.

If you read the last sentence it is very clear. ;)

Hmmm, Yahoo now has a hostile bid from MS, will Comcast step up the bid for Sprint? Sprint as a brand will stay regardless.

Why do people insist on calling this hostile when it is not?

At any rate, do you think comcast would take the sprint name like cingular did with att?

I thought comcast's name was bigger than sprint or is it the other way around. I don't know much about comcast... guess I should....

I am getting raped enough by Comcast via cable/internet...if I have to use a cell phone with their branding, enough is enough. ATT, here I come for sure.

Why would them combining cause you to go to att?

If you don't like comcast, why don't you move?

I've never fully understood people when they say they are being "raped" but refuse to do anything about it.

I don't like how much cable costs in my area so I don't have it. I don't like DRM, so I shop at amazon for my music. Until that point, I had not purchased a CD or online music in many years.

As my cousin would tell me growing up, "Money talks. BS walks." :D

Anyone suggesting att is better than comcast when it comes to business should be in an area that has only att. ATT is definitely a large mega-corporation that puts shareholder value over customers 24/7 (just like comcast).

Why would them combining cause you to go to att? If you don't like comcast, why don't you move? I've never fully understood people when they say they are being "raped" but refuse to do anything about it. I don't like how much cable costs in my area so I don't have it. I don't like DRM, so I shop at amazon for my music. Until that point, I had not purchased a CD or online music in many years. As my cousin would tell me growing up, "Money talks. BS walks." :D Anyone suggesting att is better than comcast when it comes to business should be in an area that has only att. ATT is definitely a large mega-corporation that puts shareholder value over customers 24/7 (just like comcast).

To make a long story short...if I could go to WideOpenWest for Cable where I live, I would be on it. Comcast is all that is offered so I have no choice since I and my family like having cable and I like having cable internet access. I had WOW before and got better service and saved a buck. I don't like a monopoly. The only reason I mentioned ATT is because they have good coverage in my area and they don't dig as deep in the pockets for data as Verizon, so I have a choice there at least, so I wouldn't have to deal with anything else branded Comcast if they were to aquire Sprint???

To make a long story short...if I could go to WideOpenWest for Cable where I live, I would be on it. Comcast is all that is offered so I have no choice since I and my family like having cable and I like having cable internet access. I had WOW before and got better service and saved a buck. I don't like a monopoly. The only reason I mentioned ATT is because they have good coverage in my area and they don't dig as deep in the pockets for data as Verizon, so I have a choice there at least, so I wouldn't have to deal with anything else branded Comcast if they were to aquire Sprint???

Many years ago I did not like my cable company so I went with a dish. At that time it was cheaper as well. Could be that you live in an apartment, so that might not be a good option.

But to say that you would switch just because something is branded one thing and not the other I don't understand. I can see some companies who I specifically would not purchase for, but cell service is normally based on plans or coverage.

But I agree, who am I to question your thought process. I don't pay bills at your house. It is all good.

Many years ago I did not like my cable company so I went with a dish. At that time it was cheaper as well. Could be that you live in an apartment, so that might not be a good option. But to say that you would switch just because something is branded one thing and not the other I don't understand. I can see some companies who I specifically would not purchase for, but cell service is normally based on plans or coverage. But I agree, who am I to question your thought process. I don't pay bills at your house. It is all good.

I am a home owner who lives out in the country and dish is not an option, and its not branding I am not liking, its the extra money spent and lacking service I have had with them and they are my only option so I personally don't want to deal with anything else Comcast if possible...that is just how I feel. I just don't get what it is to you about how I feel. I just don't want to give Comcast anymore money...I am already paying them healthy for cable/internet without any other option and cell phone wise, I have an option.

I have never understood where these "expensive" rumors come from. I pay $89.95 / month for voice on 5 phones with AT&T and have seven thousand + rollover minutes stored up. I pay $19.99 for unlimited internet and 200 text messages on my Treo 650 though I have never sent a text message in my life.

I would wager a guess that you're an a very old grandfathered plan - MediaNet possibly? Does ATT&T offer data plans for anything less than $40/month? (for PDA's, not feature phones) Verizon certainly doesn't - at least not when I last checked which was a few months back. Obviously Sprint's SERO plans are almost impossible to beat for a new customer, assuming everything else (coverage, phones, etc) is equal. But even w/o SERO, I think Sprint's unlimited data plans are $15 or $20/month which typically is about 1/2 of the competitions. Of course, you also need to live with the stress of Sprint's "customer service", which will probably take a year or 2 off of your life.