Ma Bell is back.

[StlSluggers]

I hope the gov't nixes this deal. But AT&T has a $3B guarantee in place. If the deal falls through for any reason, they have to pay $3B to T-Mobile.

That should grease a lot of governmental palms to ensure this deal happens.

[markj11]

I got the ill communication

[jfg]

I'd rather use my computer as a computer and let my phone be a phone.

QFT

also my wife already complains i spend too much time on the computer so the smartphone would probably get smashed in a fit of rage

I wouldn't have a cell phone if it wasn't a smart phone. I held off for a long time and I'd say maybe 2% of my smart phone usage is spent talking on the phone or texting. My main sources of communication outside of personal face to face interactions are email and Facebook. I'm waiting for a device smaller than a tablet that allows me to just have a data plan without a cell phone contract.

[lastingsgriller]

I'd rather use my computer as a computer and let my phone be a phone.

QFT

also my wife already complains i spend too much time on the computer so the smartphone would probably get smashed in a fit of rage

I wouldn't have a cell phone if it wasn't a smart phone. I held off for a long time and I'd say maybe 2% of my smart phone usage is spent talking on the phone or texting. My main sources of communication outside of personal face to face interactions are email and Facebook. I'm waiting for a device smaller than a tablet that allows me to just have a data plan without a cell phone contract.

my question is this: when are you going to be able to use google phone or some other form of web based phone on your smart phone, and how are cell phone companies going to handle that? also, can I somehow lock in my unlimited data package? not interested in per byte (or whatever) billing..

[jfg]

That's the thing, unlimited plans still exist for those that had them but there is no way that a cell company will ever offer an unlimited data plan especially without a cell plan. You could use an iPad or a netbook and use Google voice or Skype but that's a little ridiculous. I suppose you could get a wifi to go plan and use an ipod touch. Give me a phone size device with unlimited 4g though and I'll pay $40 a month for it. That's probably not enough for cell companies.

[GiantsFan14]

Just tested the 4G in LA and I'm getting 10 mbps download and 40 mbps upload.

[jfg]

It's weird how upload is so high on 4G.

[bleach168]

Verizon will have 4G data plan caps to begin with. Think it's $50 for 5 GB and $80 for 10 GB.

Are you the CEO for Verizon? That was really prescient.



I really hope Verizon and AT&T start bleeding customers. Or we are all doomed.

[The Artful Dodger]

Verizon will have 4G data plan caps to begin with. Think it's $50 for 5 GB and $80 for 10 GB.

Are you the CEO for Verizon? That was really prescient.

Nope, I work in the tech industry but definitely not in telco.

I thought data plan caps were inevitable to begin with anyway. Again, if AT&T buys T-Mobile, that'll mean Sprint will have to follow suit and start enforcing tiered pricing.