AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--While changes to users of AT&T® or T-Mobile® networks are likely a year away, mindWireless sees the acquisition as a shrewd way for one leading carrier to eliminate the lowest price competing carrier. mindWireless™, a leading wireless telecommunications expense management firm, expects the biggest change to come from reduced competition which will likely mean higher pricing for enterprise users.
What the acquisition means to enterprise wireless users:
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Higher prices: Although T-Mobile® holds the lowest share of enterprise clients among the Tier-1 carriers that include Verizon®, AT&T® and Sprint®, it traditionally offers the lowest cost voice and data plans. AT&T’s rate plans are higher, particularly for data, and while change is a year or more out, increases to T-Mobile subscribers are likely. |
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Less choice: Struggling with user defections because of network bandwidth issues and availability of the popular iPhone® through Verizon, AT&T is making a strategic move to take out the lowest priced Tier 1 carrier. The AT&T website, launched to answer questions about the deal, reports that most enterprise users, regardless of location, have a choice of five or more carriers. Tier 1 carriers are typically the preference, with Tier 2 and 3 carriers selected because of better local availability. With T-Mobile out, the choice of Tier 1 options is narrower. |
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International roaming: Ties to its current parent company, Deutsche Telekom AG, enable T-Mobile to offer aggressive international roaming to its subscribers. While Deutsche Telekom will retain an eight percent ownership in the new AT&T, mindWireless does not expect the relationship to continue the same level of international roaming plans to users. However, AT&T may become the primary option for GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications). |
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About mindWireless
mindWireless provides wireless management services to help Fortune 1000 companies manage their wireless devices, usage and end user support through technology and outsourcing solutions. Founded in 2000, mindWireless is a leader in the corporate mobility management market. For more information, visit www.mindwireless.com.