Will Verizon Wireless still be determined to be #1, even after the merger ?

[WeneedJapPhones]

Will Verizon Wireless still be determined to be #1, even after the merger ?

By this, I mean, how will they promote themselves as the best, when the #1 position will be held by Cingular ?

I know that Verizon will have the BEST network out there, especially when they roll out 1xEV-DO nationally. I know that I will be switching when 1xEV-DO handsets are out, and the network is deployed in my area.

But I would like to know how Verizon Wireless will remain #1 ?

[stylus]

Remember, being # 1 can have many faces. Having the most customers doesn't mean you have the largest wireless voice and data network. And just because you have the most spectrum, doesn't mean your carrier utilizes it with active cell sites. You know how Sprint ads say they are the largest-all-digital-all PCS- carrier in the nation? So, out of the all digital carriers utilizing only the 1900 MHz PCS band, they are the largest. It doesn't mean they have the largest wireless network nor the most customers overall. The Cingular aquisition of ATTWS will give them an edge with both customers and spectrum, but it is up to them to both keep and grow their customer base. Cingular has had several years to prove their worth since theywere created. You be the judge how efficiently they operated their network and grew their customer base. I do believe Cingular will really have to step up to the plate to maintain that lead. You can't keep just buying out others to be the biggest, you have to have both a quality network and quality management team to make a company successful. I believe that is what has made Verizon Wireles so successful. But even they have areas to improve if they want to reclaim their lead. I hope they see this as opportunity to improve the quality of their handsets and service plans to complement their quality network. In the future as carriers get to a point where service is practically everywhere, it is the ones who continually are at the forefront of new technology as well as a good repore with consumers who will have the real edge regardless if they are # 1 or not.

[XxAzNxX]

They should really adjust their prices =/

[GiantRobo]

Originally posted by WeneedJapPhones
But I would like to know how Verizon Wireless will remain #1 ?

Verizon will send out men in black suits and sunglasses to rip the handsets out of the hands of Cingular users, and stomp them to bits with their shoes.

[markrogo]

Originally posted by XxAzNxX
They should really adjust their prices =/

Why? They added far and away the most customers of any carrier last year with their prices.

[adisaoz]

To add to everything stylus has already said, I think another point we must consider is that the buyout (not merger) when it is complete (assuming all goes well) will take several months to a year to complete. By that time, the new Cingular might not have the same customer base they are expected or projecting (based on the current installed base of the two separate companies). AT&T and Cingular will lose many customers between now and the time this thing is complete; yes, Verizon will lose customers too, but if their churn rate stays where it is or even gets lower and they continue to acquire customers at the rate they have been recently, they might have more customers than the new Cingular. Add this to the fact the integrating the two networks (Cingular and AT&T) into one will take some time.

Because of the above factors, I just do not see Verizon losing that number one position, in either customers or network. I just think it is too premature to declare Cingular number one, when the ink has barely dried. Give it some time people. Verizon has the lowest churn in the industry and is consistently ranked number one in network quality, reliability, and customer service. It will take more than just buyouts to beat them. It will also take trust, dedication and money to maintain and upgrade the network, and well trained people to keep the ship afloat. I think Cingular has an uphill battle, because they have inherited a problem child.

--AZ

[ProbBoy]

Originally posted by adisaoz


I think Cingular has an uphill battle, because they have inherited a problem child.

--AZ

Cingular has done wonders with past problem children such as Cellular One/Boston. On its worst day, AT&T could only dream of being as dysfunctional as that company.

Regardless, competition is good for everybody; right now, Verizon has a monopoly of sorts on a nationwide, cellular (800mhz) network. I believe that the combination of Cingular & AT&T will create a very strong competitor. And, as long as we have T-Mobile and SprintPCS, prices shouldn't rise too much (you have to give credit to SprintPCS, in particular, for driving down prices over the past few years for everyone).

[SQFreak]

Originally posted by ProbBoy
Cingular has done wonders with past problem children such as Cellular One/Boston. On its worst day, AT&T could only dream of being as dysfunctional as that company.

CellularONE Boston is, as the name implies, a small Boston company. AT&T Wireless is pretty darn dysfunctional and its problems span the country (SpanAmerica - get it? Never mind). Cingular may be able to recover it, but it will take a while. The integration could be hell.

[mnMark]

It seems to me that Cingular's carry-over plan will be their strong-card, especially on new or convert customers in markets where they previously weren't selling (but ATTWS was).

I have heard many comments from friends and co-workers saying this could seal the deal for them...though none were VZW customers ;-)

~mark

[SQFreak]

Originally posted by mnMark
I have heard many comments from friends and co-workers saying this could seal the deal for them...though none were VZW customers ;-)

When I was looking for my first cell phone, BellSouth Mobility DCS's Rollover Minutes seemed great to me - that's what sealed the deal over Alltel, SPCS, ATTWS, and what I believe was still GTE MobilNet, though it could have been VZW already. The old BSMDCS Rollover Minutes never expired, unlike the new Cingular Rollover Minutes that expire after a year.

It's good for times when you think you might go over. It's nice to have, but knowing what I know now about BSMDCS/Cingular coverage in the Triad, I'd never have signed up with them.

[Superpimp]

One more thing to remember on a side not Cingular paid 41 billion cash for AT&T, and aquired an additional 7 billion in debt, that's 48 billion they have to overcome before they can start making a profit

[ProbBoy]

Originally posted by SQFreak
CellularONE Boston is, as the name implies, a small Boston company. AT&T Wireless is pretty darn dysfunctional and its problems span the country (SpanAmerica - get it? Never mind). Cingular may be able to recover it, but it will take a while. The integration could be hell.

At the same time, they also merged together 10 or 11 other companies (PacBell, CO/Boston, CO/Chicago, CO/Albany, CO/DC, SBC, SNET, Metrophone, among others). Is this merger bigger? Probably but they have experience.

[bsafo132]

Originally posted by WeneedJapPhones
Will Verizon Wireless still be determined to be #1, even after the merger ?

By this, I mean, how will they promote themselves as the best, when the #1 position will be held by Cingular ?

I know that Verizon will have the BEST network out there, especially when they roll out 1xEV-DO nationally. I know that I will be switching when 1xEV-DO handsets are out, and the network is deployed in my area.

But I would like to know how Verizon Wireless will remain #1 ?

You don't have to be the biggest to be the best

BS

[ZAQ786]

Originally posted by markrogo
Why? They added far and away the most customers of any carrier last year with their prices.

Cingular??? Not really.


T mobile added more customers last year than ATTws and cingular combined. Impressive.

[SQFreak]

Originally posted by ZAQ786
Cingular??? Not really.

We were talking about Verizon Wireless, who did add more customers than anyone else.