Re: Sprint-Nextel merger?

Steve, I am not saying that neither one doesn't go after one thing or the
other. I am just saying that TYPICALLY that is the way they go to market or
should I say in the WI market. I had Sprint at one time and it was when
roaming was very expensive. I understand they have changed that now, however
I have heard that you are not allowed to spend more that 50% of your airtime
on roam and because Sprint's coverage doesn't quite cut it in northern WI
they just are not a factor here. I guess the part I do not like about them
is that rather than having all the phones with all the toys, why don't they
invest in some towers to cover some of the areas they do not. I switch from
Sprint to USCellular and now am going to Verizon for nationwide. US Cellular
is great for coverage but their minute plans are not very competitive vs
Verizon.


"Steve Sobol" <sjsobol@JustThe.net> wrote in message
news:cpfn8o$k71$1@ratbert.glorb.com...
> Rod Golding wrote:
>> Taken from www.internetnews.com
>>
>> "There are some similar advantages in that Sprint PCS has tended to be
>> more of a consumer offer, whereas Nextel has been a very powerful
>> business offer because of the push-to-talk capabilities and a very
>> extensive suite of software applications and services," Rehbehn said.
>>
>
> Right. The two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.
>
> You must be a Wall Street Journal subscriber to view their content online,
> so you'd have to check Google Groups - the full text of the article was
> posted here in the last 24-36 hours.
>
> --
> JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services, http://JustThe.net/
> Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) /
> sjsobol@JustThe.net
> PGP Key available from your friendly local key server (0xE3AE35ED)
> Apple Valley, California Nothing scares me anymore. I have three kids.

On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 22:45:22 -0500, Isaiah Beard
<sacredpoet@sacredpoet.com> said in alt.cellular.nextel:

>Sprint has a very important strongpoint going for it: its network is
>fully homogenous and standardized, unlike the patchy kludged networks
>that other carriers operate, through years of cobbling together merged
>companies. Likewise, Nextel's network is equally homogenized. Both
>companies stand to erase that strongpoint to the detriment of all their
>customers.

Only if they try to merge the two networks, which would be a stupid
move.

On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 22:54:58 -0500, Isaiah Beard
<sacredpoet@sacredpoet.com> said in alt.cellular.nextel:

>Steve Sobol wrote:

> > Sure, maybe
>> there would be some enhancements like (somehow) getting Sprint's CDMA
>> 1xRTT push-to-talk system to talk to Nextel's SMR system. But why *not*
>> run separate networks and have one big entity marketing the relative
>> strengths of each network to its respective market??

>Because it runs completely counter to the idea behind a merger, in which
>the strengths of two companies are combined to cut costs.... in other
>words, to do more with less.

So if, just as an example, Nabisco buys LifeSavers, they'll change the
product to fig flavored hard candy? The strengths are combined, not
necessarily the products.

Thank you for a voice of sanity. I don't know why people think that Sprint
and Nextel will pickout their own faults then say let's implement this with
this new company


"Al Klein" <rukbat@verizon.org> wrote in message
news:gfenr09odb4f7umfjqpkqn7gvmld2oho48@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 22:54:58 -0500, Isaiah Beard
> <sacredpoet@sacredpoet.com> said in alt.cellular.nextel:
>
>>
> So if, just as an example, Nabisco buys LifeSavers, they'll change the
> product to fig flavored hard candy? The strengths are combined, not
> necessarily the products.

"mjohns2" <ghck@kvj.com> wrote in message
news:27Pud.32262$zx1.6615@newssvr13.news.prodigy.c om...
> Thank you for a voice of sanity. I don't know why people think that Sprint
> and Nextel will pickout their own faults then say let's implement this
with
> this new company
>


Finally- the voice of reason. You have a company with less than ideal
customer service but great marketing combining with one that always rates
high in customer service and has the lowest churn and bad debt numbers in
the industry. Hmmmm- I wonder what parts they'll keep.

On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 14:28:11 GMT, "Bob Smith" <usirsclt_No_Spam_@earthlink.net>
wrote:

>Yes, the customers @ Nextel will have to replace their handsets when this is
>done within a year or two, but what's new about that? We ALL replace our
>handsets within two to three years anyway, as handsets tend to wear out and
>become obsolete with current and future technology.

NO we ALL do NOT replace our headsets every two years, or every time some "cool"
phone/radio/headset comes out.

I've had exactly THREE (3)! handheld mobile phones in almost 20 YEARS with
Verizon since it was BellAtlantic Mobile in the mid 80's when they first built a
system.

1) Motorola 8000UH from day 1 to about ~ 95 or 96
2) Nokia 280 (or something like that, its in a junk box somewhere) from 95/6 or
so till 10/2000 when I moved to a PCS 1900 VZW area
3) Audiovox 9000 since 10/2000

The ONLY REASON I upgraded from the 8000 to the Nokia was I wanted digital, had
the 8000 CDMA version been offered and more widely distributed I would have went
to it, but BAM didn't offer it.

I have recently had to invest in Nextel iDEN technology via Boost for work
related issues since I don't get paid for my cell phone usage for work. I am not
a big fan of nexhell for alot of reasons, BUT this merger will KILL NEXTEL if
they SCREW WITH THE PTT USERS.

Nextel SYSTEMATICALLY KILLED the local & regional SMR systems in the US that
were providing local 2 way radio services to businesses. Nextel system is
designed to provide this, and thats what alot of businesses AND PUBLIC SAFETY
users want and use Nextel for. The fact that it CAN DOUBLE as a "mobile phone"
too is just an extra benefit. Alot of the iDEN radios have the cell phone
feature locked out as they don't want their people using it.

Killing the iDEN network to a CDMA network that is not as rich in PTT as iDEN
will KILL ALOT OF NEXTEL's customers. In areas where competition to Nextel
exists, mostly in the southern US, (GA, AL, TN, MS) SouthernLinc will BENEFIT
TREMENDOUSLY from this merger. With the possibility that SL may go national and
create a new iDEN network for all the displaced Nextel PTT/Dispatch users.
Probably could get an iDEN network cheap when the Sprintel decides to sell the
network after the merger. No need in keeping something you don't need. Why it
probably would be better business wise to dismantle it and sell as scrap to kill
competition, its worth more in place and operating.

QChat, which nextel has EXCLUSIVE rights to in the US, is NOT a replacement for
iDEN PTT/Dispatch, not even close.

Personally I don't see this merger/aquisition being of benefit to Nextel or
Sprint business wise, and most certainly not for Nextel PTT/Dispatch users, but
users are never really a concern any way.

Sprint & Verizon, or Sprint & Alltel, SURE. Actually, Alltel/Sprint would make a
LOT more sense.

Sprint has landline ILEC
Alltel has landline ILEC
Sprint has wireless
Alltel has wireless
Sprint CDMA
Alltel CDMA

That looks like the PERFECT MARRIAGE to me! You can replace Verizon for Alltel,
and it works too, but the FCC & DOJ & Commerce may have something to say about
that one.

Nextel NO landline ILEC
Nextel PRIMARILY PTT/Dispatch
Nextel iDEN TDMA
Sprint has landline ILEC
Sprint PRIMARILY VOICE/DATA CELLULAR
Sprint CDMA

Not any real common ground here. Hopefully the IRS kills it with not allowing
them to make a tax free sale of Sprints ILEC business.

<xxnonexnonexx@tampascanner.info> wrote in message
news:37bor0h0d23khmslkp2rfr8nv4feu1thce@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 14:28:11 GMT, "Bob Smith"
<usirsclt_No_Spam_@earthlink.net>
> wrote:
>
> >Yes, the customers @ Nextel will have to replace their handsets when this
is
> >done within a year or two, but what's new about that? We ALL replace our
> >handsets within two to three years anyway, as handsets tend to wear out
and
> >become obsolete with current and future technology.
>
> NO we ALL do NOT replace our headsets every two years, or every time some
"cool"
> phone/radio/headset comes out.
>
> I've had exactly THREE (3)! handheld mobile phones in almost 20 YEARS with
> Verizon since it was BellAtlantic Mobile in the mid 80's when they first
built a
> system.
>
> 1) Motorola 8000UH from day 1 to about ~ 95 or 96
> 2) Nokia 280 (or something like that, its in a junk box somewhere) from
95/6 or
> so till 10/2000 when I moved to a PCS 1900 VZW area
> 3) Audiovox 9000 since 10/2000
>
> The ONLY REASON I upgraded from the 8000 to the Nokia was I wanted
digital, had
> the 8000 CDMA version been offered and more widely distributed I would
have went
> to it, but BAM didn't offer it.

You are the exception to the rule, when it comes to replacing handsets. If
you review my prior comments, I prefaced the replacing of handsets when
those hand sets wear out. I should have also mentioned that included not
only when the phone craps out, but the battery as well, in addition to
people dropping phones, scratching them up so much to don't want to be seen
using it ... etc.

As for your comments on a better mix with Alltel, in only looks good because
Alltel has CDMA. SPCS doesn't want to stay in their landline business.
Alltel doesn't have the client base mix that SPCS wants.

With a merger with Alltel, they wouldn't be getting the bandwidth that's
available through Nextel. As for the IRS, they will have no affect on the
sale, as I'm sure that SPCS has researched that issue completely.

Bob

first off nextel is only moving their iden network to a high frequency because the FCC is forcing them. DO you believe they want to spend billions of dollars if they did not have to. and southernlinc cannot but this frequency band because it is going to the public saftey/police & fire. it will not be for sale. secondly nextel will not make the move until they are satisfied with it working properly and I believe they will work it out.

Bob Smith wrote:

><xxnonexnonexx@tampascanner.info> wrote in message
>news:37bor0h0d23khmslkp2rfr8nv4feu1thce@4ax.com.. .
>
>
>>On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 14:28:11 GMT, "Bob Smith"
>>
>>
><usirsclt_No_Spam_@earthlink.net>
>
>
>>wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>Yes, the customers @ Nextel will have to replace their handsets when this
>>>
>>>
>is
>
>
>>>done within a year or two, but what's new about that? We ALL replace our
>>>handsets within two to three years anyway, as handsets tend to wear out
>>>
>>>
>and
>
>
>>>become obsolete with current and future technology.
>>>
>>>
>>NO we ALL do NOT replace our headsets every two years, or every time some
>>
>>
>"cool"
>
>
>>phone/radio/headset comes out.
>>
>>I've had exactly THREE (3)! handheld mobile phones in almost 20 YEARS with
>>Verizon since it was BellAtlantic Mobile in the mid 80's when they first
>>
>>
>built a
>
>
>>system.
>>
>>1) Motorola 8000UH from day 1 to about ~ 95 or 96
>>2) Nokia 280 (or something like that, its in a junk box somewhere) from
>>
>>
>95/6 or
>
>
>>so till 10/2000 when I moved to a PCS 1900 VZW area
>>3) Audiovox 9000 since 10/2000
>>
>>The ONLY REASON I upgraded from the 8000 to the Nokia was I wanted
>>
>>
>digital, had
>
>
>>the 8000 CDMA version been offered and more widely distributed I would
>>
>>
>have went
>
>
>>to it, but BAM didn't offer it.
>>
>>You are the exception to the rule, when it comes to replacing handsets. If
>>you review my prior comments, I prefaced the replacing of handsets when
>>those hand sets wear out. I should have also mentioned that included not
>>only when the phone craps out, but the battery as well, in addition to
>>people dropping phones, scratching them up so much to don't want to be seen
>>using it ... etc.
>>Bob
>>
>>
>>
No Bob, he is not the exception, I have friends and associates who are
in the construction industry.
Most still have the i700 or older Nextel units. All they want is a
phone that works and working Direct
connect. Most could care less about some of the newer features. I over
heard one of my friend telling
his wife to get off the phone he was working!

This is not the exception. But it is industry Dependant! When a older
Nextel digital phone breaks,
most all of my friends are happy just to get it fixed. You see the cell
phone is not a major part
of there lifes. Course its a bad day when there phones break and they
can not order Beer and
Pizza!

On Sun, 12 Dec 2004 03:42:54 GMT, "mjohns2" <ghck@kvj.com> said in
alt.cellular.nextel:

>"Al Klein" <rukbat@verizon.org> wrote in message
>news:gfenr09odb4f7umfjqpkqn7gvmld2oho48@4ax.com.. .
>> On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 22:54:58 -0500, Isaiah Beard
>> <sacredpoet@sacredpoet.com> said in alt.cellular.nextel:

>> So if, just as an example, Nabisco buys LifeSavers, they'll change the
>> product to fig flavored hard candy? The strengths are combined, not
>> necessarily the products.

>Thank you for a voice of sanity. I don't know why people think that Sprint
>and Nextel will pickout their own faults then say let's implement this with
>this new company

I'm not saying that they won't do it - companies have been known to
self-destruct before. But there's nothing saying that they have to
combine the worst of both companies and disappear in a puff of
worldcom.

Scott Stephenson wrote:


>>Then I guess to you, mass defections due to migration issues and
>>frustrations are acceptable. Good luck then.
>
>
> Migration happens whether there is a merger or not- spectrum swap. If
> you've been reading at all, there is going to be no push for an immediate
> single platform. Don't try to create issues where they don't exist.

Then I don't know what you've been reading, to be honest with you.
Nextel has long known that it needs to find something new to migrate to.
Sprint is going to be a convenient next thing. Eventually, and
probably sooner than later, a transition will have to happen.


--
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Transpose the c's and a's in my e-mail address to reply.

Al Klein wrote:

>>Sprint has a very important strongpoint going for it: its network is
>>fully homogenous and standardized, unlike the patchy kludged networks
>>that other carriers operate, through years of cobbling together merged
>>companies. Likewise, Nextel's network is equally homogenized. Both
>>companies stand to erase that strongpoint to the detriment of all their
>>customers.
>
>
> Only if they try to merge the two networks, which would be a stupid
> move.

And why else would they merge? Meld the books, keep operating as two
entities and carry on? That's not how mergers work in the US. There
has to be a synergy, a cutting of costs, a maximizing of efficiency.
You do that in wireless by taking two networks and making them one.

That in mind, I agree with you: this whole thing is a stupid, stupid move.

It seems more definite though. I guess I'll stay a customer and watch
in amusement, until my service degrades. Then, time to move on.


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Al Klein wrote:

>>Because it runs completely counter to the idea behind a merger, in which
>>the strengths of two companies are combined to cut costs.... in other
>>words, to do more with less.
>
>
> So if, just as an example, Nabisco buys LifeSavers, they'll change the
> product to fig flavored hard candy?

No, that's a merger involving two different markets. Don't compare
apples with oranges.

If, however, Peter Pan Peanut Butter and JIF merged, guess what? You
MIGHT have two brands, but it's likely the two peanut butters are going
to made from the same plant, using the same machinery.


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Scott Stephenson wrote:
> You have a company with less than ideal
> customer service but great marketing combining with one that always rates
> high in customer service and has the lowest churn and bad debt numbers in
> the industry. Hmmmm- I wonder what parts they'll keep.


Generally, the ones that provide the quickest short term profits and
maximize cost savings. So let's see... which CS department earns less
and has fewer cs goals to meet, hmm?

--
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Al Klein wrote:

> I'm not saying that they won't do it - companies have been known to
> self-destruct before. But there's nothing saying that they have to
> combine the worst of both companies and disappear in a puff of
> worldcom.

*grin*

That was funny. Thank you. "Puff of Worldcom."

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services, http://JustThe.net/
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / sjsobol@JustThe.net
PGP Key available from your friendly local key server (0xE3AE35ED)
Apple Valley, California Nothing scares me anymore. I have three kids.