Yes, the iPhone won’t officially be available to T-Mobile users until at least 12 months, when government regulators are expected to give thumbs-up (or thumbs-down) on the $39 billion acquisition by AT&T. However, that hasn’t stopped Wall Street experts from weighing-in on the possible impact. Depending on who you ask, the deal could be a huge, or minor, plus for Apple.
“We believe T-Mobile could add [around] 3 million incremental iPhones in its first full year, which could be conservative,” Bank of American analyst Scott Craig told investors Monday morning. If you don’t like that view, there is another.
“We view AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile as a minor positive for Apple,” writes analyst Doug Reid of Stifel Nicolaus. Reid has “increased confidence that iPhone and iPad will be available to the customer base of T-Mobile USA in 2012, an assumption already reflected in our Apple estimates.” As for iPhone rivals, the deal will “reduce the number of distribution channels for Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, and Nokia devices” to three carrier,” he adds.
T-Mobile has said it has no plans to offer the iPhone for at least the first 12 months, giving Sprint some breathing room to decide its next move. Already we see the carrier forming closer ties with Google, announcing plans to use Google Voice for voice mails and text messages.
[WSJ]
Ed Sutherland is a veteran technology journalist who first heard of Apple when they grew on trees, Yahoo was run out of a Stanford dorm and Google was an unknown upstart. Since then, Sutherland has covered the whole technology landscape, concentrating on tracking the trends and figuring out the finances of large (and small) technology companies.
18 responses to “Experts: T-Mobile Acquisition Could be Positive for Apple — And Android Negative”
Totally underestimated the value of an Iphone. I am a new user to Ipad (2) and realize I currently have a WDTV and a Sony Mp3 player. Playing with the Ipad I see the value of having one brand in my home. I’ve already upgraded (or replaced depending on your view) to a Apple T.V in order to incorporate Airplay, and see the benefit an Iphone will have for me. I am currently an Andriod user. (Nexus S) For my next Mp3 player, it might as well be an Ipod. Having an Iphone available on any carrier especially for those of us who don’t live in the states will be huge. Just like the Ipad 2 was underestimated, so is this.
The AT&T/T Mobile deal is fantastic news It helps to drive another arrow in the heart of the kludged together mess that is Android, while expanding the iPhone’s reach. If it’s bad for Google, it’s good for Apple. Let’s hope the industry makes more positive moves to help get the Android stink out of the device market.
I’ll be GONE as a T-mumble customer LONG before this monopoly-creating snark finishes…
I would like to start off by saying that you guys are the most pompous, self-indulgent, arrogant morons I have read today! One of you says that having ONE brand in your house is good, and the other calling a competitor a stink out of the market? Listen to yourselves, your a sad picture of todays society. This is 2011 guys, not an Orwellian future like 1984. We need competition, we need lower prices, we need choice. Don’t look at this as this vs that, look at this as choice, as freedom. Reading Apple replies and stories is like reading about a government in a dystopian novel come to life. I see you people on the train just looking down at tablets, and pressing your phones touchscreens like a bunch of drones. laughing at a fart game, or ironically reading an ebook about sci-fi adventures, and future military stories, only yourselves to be part of the problem of which those books personify. I love technology, but dissaprove of a company supposedly making things easier for your benefit. You must ‘RESPECT’ technology, feel it. Learn it.
Ma Bell is well on her way gobbling up the US GSM cell industry. I have a very difficult time seeing the long term benefit to consumers provided by at&t acquiring T-Mobile USA and monopolizing GSM service in the US. Four major cell phone players down to three. Consolidation from two GSM suppliers down to one in the US. Not to mention that at&t regards customers and shareholders as a necessary evil. I guess it just boils down to, if you can’t beat them, buy them out. Maybe there was some truth behind the recent T-Mobile advertising theme where T-Mobile took on at&t by pointing out at&t’s weaknesses and T-Mobile’s strenths. Wait a minute, perhaps it was a T-Mobile ploy to get at&t to believe the hype and buy them out. Brillant!!! Guinness anyone? Ultimately, FCC, FTC, and DOJ will have to decide on the benefits of this proposed acquisition.
You repeated it yourself. ‘..in my home…’ Its not a reflection of what I want in the marketplace. I understand the importance of competition, but I also have decided for the foreseeable future, I will be switching over to Apple products.
In my opinion they have taken the lead when it comes to communication between devices. I see the benefit of everything talking to each other. I’ve used everything out there and I know when to disconnect. Most of these devices are good for people who have long commutes on the bus. Makes it go by easier. Different for those of us who have our own transportation. Its better then starting into the abyss I suppose.
Julius Genakowski will sighn off as long as he gets his kickback
Sack sucker alert!!! Sack sucker alert!! Please return to the proper position and continue to do what you do best until you drown.
I think that this will be the death of ATT. Once tmo customers come under the ATT Gestapo’s iron fist they will jump ship. Tmo is mostly Android users who lover their phones. I can easily see 50 percent jumping ship once they hear about the 2gb policy. Maybe the Cellular fuhrer will allow its subjects to use 5gb a month.