NEWS: Get Ready for a Wireless Carrier War

Not a smart remark, just a question, I agree that there are some great
offers from say Sprint at contract time, but how many of us have seen a
lot of effort from verizon--I have had verizon service for years, and
other than rather mundane flyers in the monthly statement don't believe
I've ever been offered anything really "special--probably because my
bill only runs $60 for so a month==not a heavy user..However, sprint
seems to have offers available which are better than advertised
rates--guess it;s like the old ad that when you are number 2 you've got
to try harder..

[email protected] (Todd Allcock) wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> "PDA Man" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> > Carriers will likely spend heavily to keep customers once number portability
> > kicks in this November.
>
> They already do. That's the hysterical part of all this WNP speculation- there
> already IS a "war" between carriers. Every time someone's contract is up,
> there's a new battle!
>
> My favorite quote from the article was this:
>
> > Curiously, the pending change has not fazed investors. (Maybe they are too
> > busy chatting away on their cell phones to notice.)
>
> No, they realize it will have very little impact. Sure there will be some
> churn, but the cellular market,despite what the press reports, is not teeming
> with tens of millions of customers holding back from changing carriers because
> they'd have to print new business cards! Sure some customers are waiting,
> but I'd be surprised if it's more than a couple percent of cell phone users.

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

---

› See More: NEWS: Get Ready for a Wireless Carrier War

Not a smart remark, just a question, I agree that there are some great
offers from say Sprint at contract time, but how many of us have seen a
lot of effort from verizon--I have had verizon service for years, and
other than rather mundane flyers in the monthly statement don't believe
I've ever been offered anything really "special--probably because my
bill only runs $60 for so a month==not a heavy user..However, sprint
seems to have offers available which are better than advertised
rates--guess it;s like the old ad that when you are number 2 you've got
to try harder..

[email protected] (Todd Allcock) wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> "PDA Man" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> > Carriers will likely spend heavily to keep customers once number portability
> > kicks in this November.
>
> They already do. That's the hysterical part of all this WNP speculation- there
> already IS a "war" between carriers. Every time someone's contract is up,
> there's a new battle!
>
> My favorite quote from the article was this:
>
> > Curiously, the pending change has not fazed investors. (Maybe they are too
> > busy chatting away on their cell phones to notice.)
>
> No, they realize it will have very little impact. Sure there will be some
> churn, but the cellular market,despite what the press reports, is not teeming
> with tens of millions of customers holding back from changing carriers because
> they'd have to print new business cards! Sure some customers are waiting,
> but I'd be surprised if it's more than a couple percent of cell phone users.

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

"PDA Man" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
>
> Carriers will likely spend heavily to keep customers once number portability
> kicks in this November.
>
> NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - On Nov. 24, the long-awaited wireless number
> portability rule kicks in, which will allow cell phone users to keep their
> numbers when they switch service providers.
>
> So if the hassle of letting people know your new number is the only reason
> you've stuck with your current service, you will soon be in luck. And based
> on the backlash the wireless industry received after last month's blackout,
> there may very well be a bunch of customers looking to switch.
>
> Curiously, the pending change has not fazed investors. (Maybe they are too
> busy chatting away on their cell phones to notice.)
>
> Shares of Nextel are up 64 percent this year. AT&T Wireless has surged 56
> percent. Sprint PCS is up 26.5 percent. And the stocks of several regional
> wireless carriers, such as Triton PCS and Western Wireless are up sharply
>
> Its Going To Get Ugly
> But wireless number portability has the potential to make an already tough
> business even more competitive. "This is going to cause a mess next year and
> into 2005," said Patrick Comack, an analyst with Guzman & Co. "It's going to
> be an ugly period for a while."
>
> Comack said that wireless carriers would likely have higher churn rates,
> which means more customers dropping service. In addition, many may increase
> the amount of handset subsidies, i.e. offering prospective subscribers cell
> phones at discounted prices.
>
> And in a recent research note, Wachovia analyst Jennifer Fritzsche noted
> that the biggest negative associated with wireless number portability is not
> that carriers will lose a lot of customers but that they will spend a ton to
> keep them.
>
> In other words, if you think wireless companies advertise a lot on
> television now, you ain't seen nothing yet.
>
> And of course, the carriers will likely come up with creative new pricing
> plans in order to lure customers and hang on to existing ones.
>
> Add all that up and you have lower profit margins.
>
> "This is going to cause more price wars, minute wars, whatever you want to
> call it," said Comack. "It's great for consumers but terrible for the
> wireless companies."
>
> For complete article
> http://money.cnn.com/2003/09/04/tech...stor/lamonica/
>
>
>
>
I hate to break it to everyone but most carriers are going to gain just
as many customers as they lose, do think that everyone is just pissed at
one carrier? I dont think so, there will be just as many people who are
pissed at verizon and cingular and everyone else, they all still want to
keep their phones so they will have to go somewhere, by the way,
everyone will have to get a new phone

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

"PDA Man" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
>
> Carriers will likely spend heavily to keep customers once number portability
> kicks in this November.
>
> NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - On Nov. 24, the long-awaited wireless number
> portability rule kicks in, which will allow cell phone users to keep their
> numbers when they switch service providers.
>
> So if the hassle of letting people know your new number is the only reason
> you've stuck with your current service, you will soon be in luck. And based
> on the backlash the wireless industry received after last month's blackout,
> there may very well be a bunch of customers looking to switch.
>
> Curiously, the pending change has not fazed investors. (Maybe they are too
> busy chatting away on their cell phones to notice.)
>
> Shares of Nextel are up 64 percent this year. AT&T Wireless has surged 56
> percent. Sprint PCS is up 26.5 percent. And the stocks of several regional
> wireless carriers, such as Triton PCS and Western Wireless are up sharply
>
> Its Going To Get Ugly
> But wireless number portability has the potential to make an already tough
> business even more competitive. "This is going to cause a mess next year and
> into 2005," said Patrick Comack, an analyst with Guzman & Co. "It's going to
> be an ugly period for a while."
>
> Comack said that wireless carriers would likely have higher churn rates,
> which means more customers dropping service. In addition, many may increase
> the amount of handset subsidies, i.e. offering prospective subscribers cell
> phones at discounted prices.
>
> And in a recent research note, Wachovia analyst Jennifer Fritzsche noted
> that the biggest negative associated with wireless number portability is not
> that carriers will lose a lot of customers but that they will spend a ton to
> keep them.
>
> In other words, if you think wireless companies advertise a lot on
> television now, you ain't seen nothing yet.
>
> And of course, the carriers will likely come up with creative new pricing
> plans in order to lure customers and hang on to existing ones.
>
> Add all that up and you have lower profit margins.
>
> "This is going to cause more price wars, minute wars, whatever you want to
> call it," said Comack. "It's great for consumers but terrible for the
> wireless companies."
>
> For complete article
> http://money.cnn.com/2003/09/04/tech...stor/lamonica/
>
>
>
>
I hate to break it to everyone but most carriers are going to gain just
as many customers as they lose, do think that everyone is just pissed at
one carrier? I dont think so, there will be just as many people who are
pissed at verizon and cingular and everyone else, they all still want to
keep their phones so they will have to go somewhere, by the way,
everyone will have to get a new phone

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (Jaymz Jaymzon) wrote:

> I hate to break it to everyone but most carriers are going to gain just
> as many customers as they lose, do think that everyone is just pissed at
> one carrier? I dont think so, there will be just as many people who are
> pissed at verizon and cingular and everyone else, they all still want to
> keep their phones so they will have to go somewhere, by the way,
> everyone will have to get a new phone

Its the promotions and additional advertising that will cost everyone,
regardless of net gain or loss from switching. If any one doesn't keep
up with the others, they will lose. And companies that already in the
red, can only hemmorage.

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (Jaymz Jaymzon) wrote:

> I hate to break it to everyone but most carriers are going to gain just
> as many customers as they lose, do think that everyone is just pissed at
> one carrier? I dont think so, there will be just as many people who are
> pissed at verizon and cingular and everyone else, they all still want to
> keep their phones so they will have to go somewhere, by the way,
> everyone will have to get a new phone

Its the promotions and additional advertising that will cost everyone,
regardless of net gain or loss from switching. If any one doesn't keep
up with the others, they will lose. And companies that already in the
red, can only hemmorage.

"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
>
>
> In addition, I'm betting that there will be a 200% increase of phones up for
> auction/sale on eBay as well.
>
> Bob
>
>

Good point, lots of used phones up for sale.

I suspect a lot of new handset models offered as well, to lure
prospective new customers.

I also bet there is a huge demand for multi-brand phone book transfer
equipment and software.
Carriers would be smart to set up easy transitions, especially for biz
accounts.

-
David

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
>
>
> In addition, I'm betting that there will be a 200% increase of phones up for
> auction/sale on eBay as well.
>
> Bob
>
>

Good point, lots of used phones up for sale.

I suspect a lot of new handset models offered as well, to lure
prospective new customers.

I also bet there is a huge demand for multi-brand phone book transfer
equipment and software.
Carriers would be smart to set up easy transitions, especially for biz
accounts.

-
David

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

CS times wont be effected that much

Portability will be done thru sales channels remember...

Only ones that will be calling are the ones that cant port their numbers
because they havent settled their bills with the previous carrier...
Sprint has said they wont if you owe anything besides current bill...

Portability isnt a magic wand...

"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
>
> "Not Interested" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Well I am sure that there are some people who are concerned but it will
> > all result in about the same thing. Businesses will still need wireless
> > carriers. People will still need to use their cell phone. So if someone
> > goes from SPCS to Verizon there will be a more or less even number of
> > people churning from one carrier to another.
> >
> > I doubt that it will be nearly the "ditch 'em and run" situation that
> > everyone thinks.
>
> I don't think so either, however, there will be some wheeling & dealing on
> plans & phones and there will be some movement of customers between
> carriers.
>
> One thing to watch for in late November through early January are the hold
> times to the respective CS depts. The carriers will be offering their annual
> holiday specials as well.
>
> In addition, I'm betting that there will be a 200% increase of phones up for
> auction/sale on eBay as well.
>
> Bob
>
>

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

CS times wont be effected that much

Portability will be done thru sales channels remember...

Only ones that will be calling are the ones that cant port their numbers
because they havent settled their bills with the previous carrier...
Sprint has said they wont if you owe anything besides current bill...

Portability isnt a magic wand...

"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
>
> "Not Interested" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Well I am sure that there are some people who are concerned but it will
> > all result in about the same thing. Businesses will still need wireless
> > carriers. People will still need to use their cell phone. So if someone
> > goes from SPCS to Verizon there will be a more or less even number of
> > people churning from one carrier to another.
> >
> > I doubt that it will be nearly the "ditch 'em and run" situation that
> > everyone thinks.
>
> I don't think so either, however, there will be some wheeling & dealing on
> plans & phones and there will be some movement of customers between
> carriers.
>
> One thing to watch for in late November through early January are the hold
> times to the respective CS depts. The carriers will be offering their annual
> holiday specials as well.
>
> In addition, I'm betting that there will be a 200% increase of phones up for
> auction/sale on eBay as well.
>
> Bob
>
>

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
>
> "Not Interested" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Well I am sure that there are some people who are concerned but it will
> > all result in about the same thing. Businesses will still need wireless
> > carriers. People will still need to use their cell phone. So if someone
> > goes from SPCS to Verizon there will be a more or less even number of
> > people churning from one carrier to another.
> >
> > I doubt that it will be nearly the "ditch 'em and run" situation that
> > everyone thinks.
>
> I don't think so either, however, there will be some wheeling & dealing on
> plans & phones and there will be some movement of customers between
> carriers.
>
> One thing to watch for in late November through early January are the hold
> times to the respective CS depts. The carriers will be offering their annual
> holiday specials as well.
>
> In addition, I'm betting that there will be a 200% increase of phones up for
> auction/sale on eBay as well.
>
> Bob
>
>

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
>
> "Not Interested" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Well I am sure that there are some people who are concerned but it will
> > all result in about the same thing. Businesses will still need wireless
> > carriers. People will still need to use their cell phone. So if someone
> > goes from SPCS to Verizon there will be a more or less even number of
> > people churning from one carrier to another.
> >
> > I doubt that it will be nearly the "ditch 'em and run" situation that
> > everyone thinks.
>
> I don't think so either, however, there will be some wheeling & dealing on
> plans & phones and there will be some movement of customers between
> carriers.
>
> One thing to watch for in late November through early January are the hold
> times to the respective CS depts. The carriers will be offering their annual
> holiday specials as well.
>
> In addition, I'm betting that there will be a 200% increase of phones up for
> auction/sale on eBay as well.
>
> Bob
>
>

[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

But you won't get a notice in your bill about them either. You need to call
and get to the retention level folks to get an offer.

"p lane" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Not a smart remark, just a question, I agree that there are some great
> offers from say Sprint at contract time, but how many of us have seen a
> lot of effort from verizon--I have had verizon service for years, and
> other than rather mundane flyers in the monthly statement don't believe
> I've ever been offered anything really "special--probably because my
> bill only runs $60 for so a month==not a heavy user..However, sprint
> seems to have offers available which are better than advertised
> rates--guess it;s like the old ad that when you are number 2 you've got
> to try harder..
>
> [email protected] (Todd Allcock) wrote in article
> <[email protected]>:
> > "PDA Man" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > > Carriers will likely spend heavily to keep customers once number
portability
> > > kicks in this November.
> >
> > They already do. That's the hysterical part of all this WNP
speculation- there
> > already IS a "war" between carriers. Every time someone's contract is
up,
> > there's a new battle!
> >
> > My favorite quote from the article was this:
> >
> > > Curiously, the pending change has not fazed investors. (Maybe they are
too
> > > busy chatting away on their cell phones to notice.)
> >
> > No, they realize it will have very little impact. Sure there will be
some
> > churn, but the cellular market,despite what the press reports, is not
teeming
> > with tens of millions of customers holding back from changing carriers
because
> > they'd have to print new business cards! Sure some customers are
waiting,
> > but I'd be surprised if it's more than a couple percent of cell phone
users.
>
> [posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

But you won't get a notice in your bill about them either. You need to call
and get to the retention level folks to get an offer.

"p lane" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Not a smart remark, just a question, I agree that there are some great
> offers from say Sprint at contract time, but how many of us have seen a
> lot of effort from verizon--I have had verizon service for years, and
> other than rather mundane flyers in the monthly statement don't believe
> I've ever been offered anything really "special--probably because my
> bill only runs $60 for so a month==not a heavy user..However, sprint
> seems to have offers available which are better than advertised
> rates--guess it;s like the old ad that when you are number 2 you've got
> to try harder..
>
> [email protected] (Todd Allcock) wrote in article
> <[email protected]>:
> > "PDA Man" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > > Carriers will likely spend heavily to keep customers once number
portability
> > > kicks in this November.
> >
> > They already do. That's the hysterical part of all this WNP
speculation- there
> > already IS a "war" between carriers. Every time someone's contract is
up,
> > there's a new battle!
> >
> > My favorite quote from the article was this:
> >
> > > Curiously, the pending change has not fazed investors. (Maybe they are
too
> > > busy chatting away on their cell phones to notice.)
> >
> > No, they realize it will have very little impact. Sure there will be
some
> > churn, but the cellular market,despite what the press reports, is not
teeming
> > with tens of millions of customers holding back from changing carriers
because
> > they'd have to print new business cards! Sure some customers are
waiting,
> > but I'd be surprised if it's more than a couple percent of cell phone
users.
>
> [posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]

"John Andrews" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> CS times wont be effected that much
>
> Portability will be done thru sales channels remember...
>
> Only ones that will be calling are the ones that cant port their numbers
> because they havent settled their bills with the previous carrier...
> Sprint has said they wont if you owe anything besides current bill...
>
> Portability isnt a magic wand...

I'm not just talking about portability, I'm also talking about special
holiday plans which will be offered during this same time frame. People will
be calling CS for these new sales, portability and any number of other
reasons.

Even before portability, SPCS hold times go up everytime at that time of the
year, because of the new plans that are offered.

Bob