T-Mobile iPhone 5 Unlikely Amid Anti-Trust Lawsuit Against AT&T
Posted by Michael Nace on Wednesday Aug 31, 2011 Under Apple News, iPhone 5 OpinionWhile the likelihood of Sprint getting the iPhone 5 continues to rise, chances of T-Mobile getting the next iPhone seems less and less likely in the wake of a new U.S. anti-trust lawsuit against AT&T trying to acquire T-Mobile.
When discussing the prospect of the iPhone 5 expanding to new carriers in the U.S., Sprint and T-Mobile are often discussed in tandem. However, from the onset of this year, when AT&T announced that it would bid to acquire T-Mobile, the chances of T-Mobile adding the next iPhone to its roster of smartphone offerings have always been much less likely than that of Sprint. Due to the fact that the AT&T/T-Mobile deal has been pending all this time — with no prospect of the deal getting done until late 2011 or beyond — even the T-Mobile executives went out of their way early on to dissuade their own subscribers and the tech media from assuming T-Mobile would be tethered to AT&T soon enough to add the iPhone 5 in time for its 2011 launch.
The iPhone 5 News Blog reported on the poor chance of T-Mobile getting the iPhone 5 back in mid-March, which you can read here.
But if you are a T-Mobile customer holding out hope that the company’s executives were simply blowing smoke to obscure a bombshell announcement that the U.S.’s fourth-largest carrier would be picking up the iPhone 5 this year, your hopes have just officially been dashed. Today, Gizmodo and others have reported that the U.S. Department of Justice will levy an anti-trust lawsuit against AT&T’s attempt to buy T-Mobile, blocking yet another move by the AT&T/Verizon duopoly to dominate the U.S. mobile market.
From Gizmodo: “The US says ‘AT&T’s elimination of T-Mobile as an independent, low- priced rival would remove a significant competitive force from the market.’ Yep, pretty much. AT&T’s efforts just got a hell of a lot harder—the DoJ doesn’t take kindly to monopolistic encroachment, and when the crosshairs are up, they’re rarely lowered. We’re happy to see the feds sticking up for our freedom of choice as consumers—something we don’t see often enough.”
It isn’t impossible for T-Mobile to have forged a separate deal with Apple in the interim to gain the iPhone 5 — with or without a ratified deal with AT&T in place — but that would be highly unlikely, as it could further complicate AT&T and T-Mobile’s merger down the line, considering the importance of the iPhone/Apple deal in such a merger. As a result, the T-Mobile iPhone 5 rumor is most likely dead on arrival.
Another Win for Sprint
As you know, we at the iPhone 5 News Blog herald Sprint as the workin’ man’s mobile carrier, whose existence helps keep mobile carrier costs down for Sprint and non-Sprint subscribers alike. Today’s move by the U.S. DoJ to sue AT&T involves Sprint in a big way, since, if you recall, Sprint filed a brief to the DoJ this year, complaining of the proposed AT&T/T-Mobile merger, and warning of its anti-trust and duopolostic possibilities. If you’re unfamiliar with the brief, you should definitely check out the article we did on it here. It includes a link to Sprint’s petition to deny, which is superbly written and argued.
It can be said that Sprint has totally won in this matter, as they got the DoJ to do exactly what they wanted them to do. With Sprint ostensibly getting the iPhone 5 in October, they are now in a very strong position to wield their unlimited data plan to become a contender in the U.S. marketplace with Verizon.
Adding to this reality is a fresh move by Sprint to up its early termination fee to $350, matching rivals AT&T and Verizon. Engadget reports today that “Beginning September 9th, Sprint will charge a $350 termination fee — the same as Verizon and AT&T — that will be pro-rated depended on the number of months left on a subscriber’s contract. The charge is a hefty step-up from its prior fee of $200, clearly signaling to the marketplace that it demands to be seen as a contender.”
While it may not be congruent with Sprint’s usual customer-friendly ethos, this move does signal that the tides may be turning for the embattled U.S. mobile carrier.
Sincere thanks to iPhone 5 reader and contributor Erik, who seeded both of the cited articles in this story. Thanks, Erik!
By Michael Nace
Michael Nace is the Publisher of the iPhone 5 News Blog and iPhone 6 News Blog. He has published articles about the iPhone since 2010.
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August 31st, 2011 at 12:32 pm
I think once the governess steps in, it’s a long uphill battle.
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August 31st, 2011 at 12:43 pm
There is no iPhone 5. Apple have never confirmed another iPhone and as an employee of a tier 1 carrier, we have had NO information about an iPhone for 2011. We have an SLA with Apple for at least 2 months notice for a new item as it takes this long to add this to our network. The future’s not that bright…
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August 31st, 2011 at 1:03 pm
[...] Raising Early Termination Fees September 9 – Anticipating Influx Of …Gotta Be MobileT-Mobile iPhone 5 Unlikely Amid Anti-Trust Lawsuit Against AT&TThe iPhone 5 News Blog (blog)10 Reasons to Wait for Sprint's iPhone 5Channel [...]
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August 31st, 2011 at 1:05 pm
It would be so cool if they announced no iPhone 5 this year ! I’m Holding out for the Motorola iPod phone 2!
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August 31st, 2011 at 1:09 pm
@ Sam – Only the higher ups are going to be in the loop. All the rest of the peons will find out when Apple announces it. To think you would be special enough to possess this information is pure ignorance.
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August 31st, 2011 at 1:39 pm
I am a senior commercial manager for the network. Before any handset goes onto our network I approve it. I can honestly say, there is no iPhone 5.
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August 31st, 2011 at 1:52 pm
The AT&T T-mobile deal was probably blocked because AT&T wouldn’t agree to a government shakedown like Comcast did when they wanted to buy NBC. The amount of corruption in our government is shameful.
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August 31st, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Sam, do you work for a U.S. mobile carrier, though?
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August 31st, 2011 at 2:20 pm
The fact is that even if you did have some kind of inside information on the iPhone 5 you have no proof. I don’t like the way you spout off saying there is NO iPhone 5 when you don’t know anything more than the rest of us. I doubt a “senior commercial manager” would be on this website spreading rumors anyways. You would be the one to look dumb if the iPhone is released in the next 2 months. If you want to say that “In your oppinion” there is no iPhone 5 that would make more sense.
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August 31st, 2011 at 2:37 pm
Well, Sam’s comments are indeed a bit cryptic, but I don’t mind him posting them here. I think we all realize — Sam included — that, unless he can confirm his title and position, the suggestion remains unsubstantiated. Just like when “Apple Insider” was telling us that he worked for Apple. I’m sure Sam understands that his comments will be taken with a grain of salt.
All of this being said, it is kind of interesting that Sprint has an October 7th media event planned. Who knows? Maybe there is no iPhone 5, and Sprint is getting the iPhone 4. Maybe all of the components we’re seeing are for a Sprint iPhone 4?
Look, logic dictates that Apple would make sure to get something new out in 2011 as far as iPhones go. But logic would have also dictated that the iPHone 5 would have been released at the WWDC this year. Well, it’s August 31st, and still no iPhone.
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August 31st, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Sam must work for T-Mobile’s network, since it looks like they’re not getting the iPhone 5. He’s just a little upset about it. Lol jk. Not trying to start a virtual fight! Anyway, at this point I no longer have a clue what new hardware is coming, but either way I need to upgrade my 3G iPhone regardless. I’m more excited to hear about the keynote invitations that are hopefully coming soon than anything else, because we all know that in the end of the rumors, Apple will deliver.
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August 31st, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Anthony,
I would say no to the T-Mobile theory, as they already have iPhone’s on their network that were never approved.
The only Tier 1 carriers that can really control the phones on their network are Sprint & Verizon, as they are both CDMA. No SIM card to swap around.
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August 31st, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Anthony, I would say that the preponderance of evidence suggests that new hardware is coming. Maybe it won’t be the “iPhone 5,” as our source has stated. But just the fact that the current iPhone 4 is getting discounted is a huge piece of circumstantial evidence that suggests a new release is imminent. No retailer would look to liquidate stocks of iPhones if they thought they’d have to keep those sale prices in place for another 4-8 months.
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August 31st, 2011 at 4:19 pm
The feds sticking up for the consumers freedom of choice?Last I checked the feds job was to stick to enforcing the constitution. This is just more evidence of a progressive left administration showing us all how much they hate business. Also, let us not forget the great increase in service coverage that would be given to ATT and TMobile customers. As a career economist, given the administration, I’m not suprised.
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August 31st, 2011 at 5:35 pm
So Sam says that he gets to make the call as to whether or not a phone goes onto ‘his’ network. Sounds like Sam is a pretty major player at his company, basically CEO / Board level. I would think someone of that position would be too busy at 1:39 in the afternoon to contribute to a blog. Not credible at all.
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August 31st, 2011 at 6:10 pm
@ SAM lol. Why would a senior manager of a carrier post on this blog? You are trolling. Provide Michael with proof of your position or GTFO.
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August 31st, 2011 at 6:39 pm
There was actually an article on Cnet that said that another prototype iPhone was lost last month. I will have to find out more.
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August 31st, 2011 at 6:46 pm
It is on Cnet under their Apple page. It was posted today.
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August 31st, 2011 at 6:54 pm
I just read the CNET story also…I can’t believe this happened again.
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August 31st, 2011 at 7:23 pm
@aimee i was about to say that,lol, i thought i was the first on this blog to see it, i hope someone gives it to apple so they can release it, that is probely whats causing the delay
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August 31st, 2011 at 7:23 pm
I can’t either. That is kinda dumb, knowing what happened last year. You think that the person who lost it would have kept a better eye on it. Plus the person who sold it on craigslist is a jerk.
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August 31st, 2011 at 7:26 pm
apple employees should stop drinking… until AFTER the phone is released
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August 31st, 2011 at 8:59 pm
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/5547301/Apple-loses-another-unreleased-iPhone
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August 31st, 2011 at 9:59 pm
LOL @ Wowman! I agree. Or at least learn to hang onto their phones better.
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August 31st, 2011 at 10:27 pm
they’re celebrating the iPhone release early that’s all! I’ll be drinking when I get my new iPhone too, though I’ll be guarding it with my life so it’s not gonna be left at a bar. IN all seriousness though, doesn’t this just make some if not most of us more and more addicted to the iPhone 5 rumor mill searching for answers and any hint to a release date. Someone has one so it can’t be far now; this is the genius marketing department of Apple!
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August 31st, 2011 at 10:43 pm
The theory that Tmobile won’t get an iPhone BECAUSE the AT&T merger isn’t going through is ridiculous. If they don’t get it, it’s because they never were going to get it, not because of a failed merger. If Apple took the time to rig the phone for Tmobile’s frequencies, they will not waste that R&D and hold the phone back from earning the company some crazy money. That’s not conjecture, that’s just common sense.
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September 1st, 2011 at 2:22 am
My comment regarding the next iPhone is in response to the rumours and speculation that are currently reaching fever pitch. I too would like there to be a new handset from Apple, or a new tablet but as a network we are not getting any information and we do always get 2 months notice for a new handset. After a meeting with Apple who as usual were being dictatorial about some stuff it’s made me speak. If they want a tier 1 network (bigger than T) to be onside, they need to realise that they are not the only supplier we have.
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September 1st, 2011 at 4:46 am
Recently, It’s getting even worse. Symantec is criminal & breaking the law. I can’t believe Symantec indulge David Freer & Suzy Walsham to get my person info through HR dept. for their own personal purposes, which is toally violating the privacy law. (as I have worked for Symantec before). As I called to Symantec headquarter & talked to legal Mona Ramamurthy & sent an email to all the management team (as they can’t pretend they didn’t know about it) and got no responses at all. What is Symantec management team’s thinking? What makes them to think they could break the law BOLDLY? Is US a legal & civilized country or what? Or Symantec thought they could just hide behind hundred of lawyers’ back and as one solo person I can barely hurt them at all? I wish President Obama would know this. Then he can tell the chairman & CEO of Symantec, Enrique Salem, the same words as he told Congressman Anthony Weiner “If I was him, I would resign” from Obama’s management advisory. I wish Symantec shareholders would know this, so they can sell the stocks to show their disagreement with their RUDE & ILLEGAL behaviors. I wish the press would start investigating this. Thank you.
David Freer even hacked into my email account to get pastor wife’s address. A hacker works for Symantec management, how ironic! Boycott Norton & Symantec – a lawbreaker company.
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September 1st, 2011 at 11:39 am
Sam, I have a request that you print out the words you typed in this thread and eat them for lunch when the 5 is announced this year. Obviously I think your wrong and full of yourself think everything has to go through you in order to “pass”. I’m not an Apple fanboy, and could care less if they released another phone. Apple can do whatever the f*&k they want due to the sales success they’ve had with their devices, and sales they’ve given to carriers. You working for VZ or whoever (it doesn’t matter and no-one cares) are their b*&ch. Apple knows they can push you guys around, even if android is gaining marketshare. Afterall, they are not just the biggest tech company in the world, they are the biggest COMPANY in the world (read: market capitalization).
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September 1st, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Hi, realist, and thanks for commenting on the blog. I understand you have some frustration with Sam’s posts, as no one who frequents this blog would like to believe that there is no new iPhone in the pipeline. That being said, let’s not be nasty or levy personal attacks. It really is of no consequence if commenters make claims — false or otherwise — since the comments on a blog like this rarely become actionable news. I receive at least one claim a day via e-mail from “insiders” who have “proof” about the iPhone 5, iPhone 4s, iPhone 4Gs, etc. And that’s ok — I actually appreciate the heads up. But as long as that stuff remains in the comments section of a blog post (or in my trash email folder), it need not ratchet up anyone’s emotions too much.
As I said before: if Sam — or anyone for that matter — would like to confirm their identity and credibility with me, I am more than happy to do that, and keep their true identity a secret in order to post an exclusive story. But unless I can get to that point with a source, the source and his/her claims remain completely unsubstantiated.
That being said, I kind of like Sam’s claim, because it got me thinking out of the box on the whole iPhone release, imagining the prospect of September, October, November, and December all passing with no news of a new iPhone, and what that would look like in the tech community.
Pretty ugly, I would think! LOL
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September 1st, 2011 at 3:36 pm
I have to agree, Michael. That would get pretty ugly. Not just with bloggers, but with the consumers. I am sure that apple will come out with an announcement soon. At least we hope so!
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September 2nd, 2011 at 1:27 pm
[...] By …The APPeraDOJ Blocking AT&T/T-Mobile Deal: Impact on AppleInternational Business TimesT-Mobile iPhone 5 Unlikely Amid Anti-Trust Lawsuit Against AT&TThe iPhone 5 News Blog (blog)Investorplace.com -KKTV 11 Newsall 4,130 news [...]
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September 3rd, 2011 at 1:16 pm
[...] Blocking AT&T/T-Mobile Deal: Impact on AppleInternational Business Timestuaw.com -The iPhone 5 News Blog (blog) -Investorplace.comall 4,348 news articles » No Comments » [...]
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September 6th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
An update from our carriers ….
We have had confirmation of the next iteration of the iPhone. We have also had our ‘Handset Update’ published that includes it in our range for Sept/Oct.
No other details.
Phew!
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September 6th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
OOOOOOOOOO! I’m getting too excited! Thank you, Sam, for letting us know! As my son sings, “we’re getting a new iphone, we’re getting a new iphone!” I am those types of people that still get excited over birthdays (38), new technology (lots) and holidays (same as birthdays), no matter how many I have had or seen! LOL! Glad to hear that you finally got confirmation.
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September 6th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
That’s ace Sam. I hope they don’t Botch up the release date.
TTFN
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September 18th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
[...] the HTC Evo.Best answer:Answer by Justin KucIm betting it willAdd your own answer in the comments!Question by Halo_Reach_4Ever: Does anyone know if the iPhone 5 or 6 *might* come to T-Mobile?I reall…ucIm betting it willAdd your own answer in the comments!WordPress › [...]
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