deadpoolRKO
03-22-2011, 08:04 AM
ORLANDO, Fla. (Dow Jones)--Shock and speculation over the potential $39 billion merger of AT&T Inc. (T) and T-Mobile USA dominated the wireless industry as it converged in Orlando for one of its more significant annual trade shows.
The surprise deal announcement on Sunday--which would create the nation's largest wireless carrier with roughly 130 million customers--was a topic that monopolized the conversations of industry pundits and executives on the first day of the CTIA Wireless trade show Monday. Many were still processing the development.
"It's too early to say what the impact is," said Mark Slater, vice president and head of U.S. sales at Nokia Corp. (NOK). The company, who was busy pitching the company's Astound smartphone for T-Mobile USA, is looking at the potential combination closely, he said.
T-Mobile USA is the U.S. wireless arm of Deutsche Telekom AG (DTE.XE).
One AT&T executive said he received roughly 50 inquires into the deal, although he had little insight to add.
"How can you not talk about?" a person familiar with the industry said. "It's a pivotal moment in the wireless industry."
Sony Ericsson's head of marketing for North America, Paul Hamnett, said the company is taking a "wait-and-see approach," noting that the deal represents a massive announcement. The company--a joint venture between Sweden's Telefon AB L.M. Ericsson (ERIC) and Japan's Sony Corp. (SNE)--hasn't met to discuss the impact of the deal yet, he added.
The topic was touched upon by the several policy panels held Monday, a day ahead of the official start of CTIA. It will likely be a key topic during a morning roundtable session Tuesday with AT&T Mobility Chief Executive Ralph de la Vega, T-Mobile USA Chief Executive Philipp Humm, Verizon Wireless Chief Executive Dan Mead and Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) Chief Executive Dan Hesse.
Verizon Wireless is a joint venture between Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) and Vodafone Group Plc. (VOD)
Monday, some speculated on the difficulties AT&T faced in getting the deal approved. William Ho, an analyst at Current Analysis, said he expects the deal to go through with the typical concessions, including the sale of spectrum and assets.
"That's how these deals go," he said.
Even the bus and taxi drivers who typically stick with National Public Radio heard about the deal. One bus driver who ferried convention goers between an industry event and their hotels said talk over the the potential merger was a common theme found during his drive.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110322-705573.html
Jimmy Kimmel tweeted " ATT is buying T Mobile for $39 billion. It was a tough call for AT&t. Then again , EVERY call is a tough call for AT&T "
lol.
The surprise deal announcement on Sunday--which would create the nation's largest wireless carrier with roughly 130 million customers--was a topic that monopolized the conversations of industry pundits and executives on the first day of the CTIA Wireless trade show Monday. Many were still processing the development.
"It's too early to say what the impact is," said Mark Slater, vice president and head of U.S. sales at Nokia Corp. (NOK). The company, who was busy pitching the company's Astound smartphone for T-Mobile USA, is looking at the potential combination closely, he said.
T-Mobile USA is the U.S. wireless arm of Deutsche Telekom AG (DTE.XE).
One AT&T executive said he received roughly 50 inquires into the deal, although he had little insight to add.
"How can you not talk about?" a person familiar with the industry said. "It's a pivotal moment in the wireless industry."
Sony Ericsson's head of marketing for North America, Paul Hamnett, said the company is taking a "wait-and-see approach," noting that the deal represents a massive announcement. The company--a joint venture between Sweden's Telefon AB L.M. Ericsson (ERIC) and Japan's Sony Corp. (SNE)--hasn't met to discuss the impact of the deal yet, he added.
The topic was touched upon by the several policy panels held Monday, a day ahead of the official start of CTIA. It will likely be a key topic during a morning roundtable session Tuesday with AT&T Mobility Chief Executive Ralph de la Vega, T-Mobile USA Chief Executive Philipp Humm, Verizon Wireless Chief Executive Dan Mead and Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) Chief Executive Dan Hesse.
Verizon Wireless is a joint venture between Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) and Vodafone Group Plc. (VOD)
Monday, some speculated on the difficulties AT&T faced in getting the deal approved. William Ho, an analyst at Current Analysis, said he expects the deal to go through with the typical concessions, including the sale of spectrum and assets.
"That's how these deals go," he said.
Even the bus and taxi drivers who typically stick with National Public Radio heard about the deal. One bus driver who ferried convention goers between an industry event and their hotels said talk over the the potential merger was a common theme found during his drive.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110322-705573.html
Jimmy Kimmel tweeted " ATT is buying T Mobile for $39 billion. It was a tough call for AT&t. Then again , EVERY call is a tough call for AT&T "
lol.