MetroPCS boosts budget LTE lineup with the Huawei Premia 4G, a 4-inch, ICS handset for $149

MetroPCS boosts budget LTE lineup with the Huawei Premia 4G, a 4inch, ICS handset for $149

All signs point toward the T-Mobile / MetroPCS merger becoming a formal thing pretty soon, but the Wireless for All carrier isn’t wasting any time and is now welcoming yet another budget smartphone with LTE to its hefty mobile arsenal. And while the newly announced Huawei Premia 4G might not be amongst MetroPCS’ better-specced handsets, its 4-inch (800 x 480) display, 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, 1GB RAM and 5-megapixel rear shooter will certainly make this Ice Cream Sandwich slab a relatively solid option at $149. So, those looking for some LTE love without having to break the bank, someone’s calling your name — and, starting today, you can snag one of these Huawei Premia 4Gs in-store or via the MetroPCS site linked below.

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Source: MetroPCS

T-Mobile’s LTE ambitions get real: network expansion, the BlackBerry Z10 and an OTA update for the Galaxy Note II

TMobile's LTE ambitions get real network expansion, the BlackBerry Z10 and an OTA update for the Galaxy Note II

AT&T’s failed acquisition was the best thing to ever happen to T-Mobile. As a consequence of the failed merger, the fourth place wireless carrier received AWS spectrum in over 100 markets, a cash payout in the billions and an extensive roaming agreement with Ma Bell. All of which pushed the last place carrier into a stronger competitive standing. Now, as it nears the completion of a merger of its own devising with MetroPCS, the operator’s gearing up to make good on its LTE promise. Starting today, an over-the-air update will begin rolling out to existing Galaxy Note II handsets that enables the previously dormant LTE radio. Which, if you’ve been keeping close tabs on Magenta’s LTE plans, falls right on schedule with its previously announced 2013 deployment timeline.

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FCC Approves T-Mobile, MetroPCS Merger

FCC Approves T Mobile, MetroPCS Merger

It looks as though those reports of T-Mobile possibly laying off over 100 people once it merges with MetroPCS is one step closer to become true as not only did the Department of Justice give the A-OK for the merger to occur, but today, the FCC also gave their blessing for the merger.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski released a statement in regards to the merger saying is “in the public interest” as it will strengthen the US wireless market by “moving toward robust competition and revitalized competitors.” (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Yellow/Gold iPhone 5S In The Works?, Samsung Galaxy S3 Refresh Coming (Rumor),

FCC approves T-Mobile merger with MetroPCS

Well on its way to approval from every legal entity required to make it a reality, the merger between T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS has been given the thumbs-up by the FCC. This merger is referred to by the FCC in the official documentation issued today as “Newco” but will be called “T-Mobile US, Inc.” when all is said and done. Together they’ll move forward into the future with such possibilities as the advanced facilitation of 4G LTE and the expansion of what up until now has been MetroPCS’s brand into “new geographical markets.”

approved

The FCC’s statement also makes clear that this merger will very possibly create a “more robust, national network” and will move to make the fourth-largest carrier in the United States a service provider with “improved quality of service” from top to bottom. The FCC has concluded that, per their mission to decide,

“Any potential public interest harms would be outweighed by the resulting public interest benefits” – FCC

This decision is made with several conclusions including that Deutsche Telekom has the right to select a name other than the one listed above any time prior to the close of the deal “Deutsche Telekom AG Application, ULS File No. 0005446627, Exhibit 1, Description of Transaction and Public Interest Statement at 3 n.5″ Deutsche Telekom is the parent company of T-Mobile USA, you should know, if you did not know before right this minute.

Four FCC heads, Chairman Genachowski, Commissioner Rosenworcel, and Commissioner Pai, have released statements in support of the approval, letting the public know why they’ve supported the merger and how it’ll affect us all.

“When markets are competitive, consumers are better off when the government forbears from intervening and allows private parties to negotiate and enter into voluntary agreements. As I have said before, mutual consent implies mutual benefit, and it is accordingly in the public interest for freely-negotiated contracts to be allowed and enforced so long as third parties are not harmed. ” – Commissioner Pai

“I have expressed to the parties my concern that as they move ahead, American workers do not get left behind. Major job losses are not in the public interest. The companies have pledged to me that they have no plans to close any domestic call centers, to move them offshore, to close any retail stores, or to reduce retail positions as a result of this deal. They have also assured me that they plan to increase the overall number of workers they employ in the United States. I expect that the company will keep its word—and live up to these promises.” – Commissioner Goldman

Above you’ll see Commissioner Pai‘s statement as well as the statement of Commissioner Goldman. You’ll see that Goldman made a point to assure the public hat both T-Mobile and MetroPCS have promised to keep all of the stores and workers they’d had before this deal, and have no plans to fire any workers or close any stores as a result of the deal.

“Mobile broadband is a key engine of economic growth, with U.S. annual wireless capital investment up 40% over the last four years, the largest increase in the world, and few sectors having more potential to create jobs. In this fast-moving space, of course challenges remain, including the need to unleash even more spectrum for mobile broadband and continuing to promote competition and protect consumers. The Commission will stay focused on these vital goals.” – Chairman Genachoswki

Above you’ll also see the statement of FCC Chairman Genachoswki, who opts to address the situation from a more broad perspective. Have a peek at the timeline below to see more on the history of this deal as it began and ran through to today, where it’s closer than ever to being fully approved.


FCC approves T-Mobile merger with MetroPCS is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Refresh Roundup: week of March 4th, 2013

Refresh Roundup week of March 4th, 2013

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don’t escape without notice, we’ve gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

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T-Mobile Reportedly Planning Layoffs Prior To MetroPCS Merger

T Mobile Reportedly Planning Layoffs Prior To MetroPCS Merger

Earlier this morning, the US Department of Justice gave the T-Mobile / MetroPCS merger  its official green light in the form of a 30-day waiting period, which expires is there are no objections made within those 30 days. But it looks as though T-Mobile is a little too eager to get the merger ball rolling as it seems the company may already be performing a significant round of layoffs within its Bellevue headquarters.

The reports are coming from people inside of the company and may affect over 100 people within T-Mobile’s marketing division as well as other groups within the company. These layoffs are expected to happen sometime today as conference rooms have been designated for “integration” meetings.

As of now, no official word has come from T-Mobile in regards to these reports, but considering T-Mobile has been steadily losing customers, which the claim its recent drop in customers is due to the iPhone 5, we wouldn’t doubt something big is about to go down at T-Mobile if its merger with MetroPCS happens.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Samsung To Introduce Low-End Galaxy Pocket Neo Smartphone, iPhone 5S Production Rumored To Be Ramping Up At Foxconn,

US DoJ Gives T-Mobile/MetroPCS Merger The Green Light

US DoJ Gives T Mobile/MetroPCS Merger The Green LightEarly last year there were talks that T-Mobile and MetroPCS could be merged together. This was confirmed by T-Mobile’s CEO who revealed that they expected the deal to be complete by June 2013 and it looks like that will indeed be the case. The merger between T-Mobile and MetroPCS has been given the green light by the US Department of Justice in the form of the 30-day waiting period expiring without any objections being made. Of course there are other regulatory bodies that will need to give the go ahead because if you recall, the FBI wanted to take a closer look at the merger as well, and there still needs to be the approval of the FCC and the Committee of Foreign Investment. However assuming that these bodies give the merger the thumbs up, we don’t see why the T-Mobile and MetroPCS deal won’t be able to meet its June 2013 date.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Artefact Conjures Pilates Shirt, Japanese Researchers Come Up With New Way To Protect Your Password From Prying Eyes,

DOJ lets waiting period expire on T-Mobile / MetroPCS merger, hints it’s good to go

MetroPCS street ad

We’re sure that MetroPCS and T-Mobile USA executives were on pins and needles wondering whether or not their proposed merger would clear all the regulatory hurdles. While they’re not officially free and clear, the Department of Justice has given a strong hint that the carrier union will go through. The government branch just let the mandatory waiting period expire without raising any objections; if it had thought there were serious antitrust issues, it would have piped up by now. Before anyone pops the champagne corks, though, there’s still a number of formalities — the Committee on Foreign Investment, the FCC and the companies’ shareholders still need to sign off on the deal, which could take weeks or longer. Considering the troubles T-Mobile had the last time it tried a merger, though, waiting will seem like a walk in the park.

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Source: CNET

T-Mobile, MetroPCS merger gets approval from Department of Justice

Back in October, it was announced that T-Mobile would be acquiring regional carrier MetroPCS, but the deal isn’t final just yet. It obviously has to pass through several government barriers before it can officially happen. However, there’s one less hurdle to jump now, as the Department of Justice has given the merger the green light.

MetroPCS-moves-back-shareholder-meeting-to-April-12th

Now that the Department of Justice is out of the way, the acquisition deal now needs to make its way through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Committee on Foreign Investment, and MetroPCS shareholders, who are scheduled to vote on the merger on April 12, as previously reported a couple days ago.

MetroPCS is obviously encouraging shareholders to vote yes, and they say that voting for the merger has the same effect as voting against it. T-Mobile says that if shareholders vote against the merger, “there is no assurance that MetroPCS will be able to deliver the same or better stockholder value.”

Executive boards at both carriers have already approved the merger, and T-Mobile aims to migrate all MetroPCS customers over to T-Mobile’s system by 2015. T-Mobile is the US’s 4th-largest carrier, with MetroPCS being the 5th largest. While the merger may not put T-Mobile in third place, it certainly give the carrier quite a boost that it’s been wanting.

[via eWeek]


T-Mobile, MetroPCS merger gets approval from Department of Justice is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

MetroPCS moves back shareholders meeting to April 12th

MetroPCS has moved the date of its shareholders meeting back to April 12th. The special meeting will allow MetroPCS stockholders to vote for the pending T-Mobile merger. Following the meeting and the votes, MetroPCS believes that its merger with T-Mobile will be completed shortly after. MetroPCS encourages all of its shareholders to vote in favor of the proposal using their GREEN proxy card.

MetroPCS moves back shareholder meeting to April 12th

The MetroPCS/T-Mobile merger has been negatively perceived by many of MetroPCS’s shareholders. They believe that the merger will only land them more in debt, and that there isn’t enough value in it for MetroPCS. P. Schoenfeld Asset Management, an investment adviser that owns 2% of MetroPCS’s shares, believes that the company should stay a stand-alone company and wait for a better offer to arrive.

Paulson & Co., MetroPCS’s biggest shareholder with 8.7% of the company’s shares, stated that it’s going to withhold its vote until it sees the final proxy statement, which will be submitted by MetroPCS at the meeting. Paulson & Co. also echoes the concerns of P. Schoenfeld Asset Management, and says that the merger would result in too high of a debt for MetroPCS, and that the company should explore alternative options.

T-Mobile is gunning for this merger with MetroPCS because doing so will help it expand its 4G LTE network. This would also make them the best, cost-friendly service providers in America, with both companies offering unlimited 4G data, and T-Mobile soon to be offering contract-less service plans like MetroPCS. The two companies will continue to operate as separate entities, but they will combine to make a fierce, value-oriented competitor to the other 3 major carriers.

[via MetroPCS]


MetroPCS moves back shareholders meeting to April 12th is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.