Un-carrierCategoryBlog

Five plus years of Un-carrier, and you ain’t seen nothing yet.

By John LegereDecember 27, 2018

John Legere shares his predictions for what lies ahead in the wireless industry and beyond in 2019

Yesterday, I gave out the Magentees! Kind of like the Dundees on The Office, the Magentees recognize the best and worst of the last year. And, it was a pretty amazing year for some cringeworthy carrier BS and some incredible progress in our fight on behalf of customers.

Now, I’m looking forward to the year ahead, and I’ve gotta say one thing: 2019 will be epic. There’s so much on the horizon and so much change that will shape the future will begin in 2019.

So, in keeping with tradition…. here are my top 10 Predictions for the year ahead: 

1. We’ll see real, live 5G.

Not the 5G* Verizon and AT&T are touting, but real, mobile, standards-based 5G. And T-Mobile will continue to be the only company with a real plan for nationwide 5G. And if the Sprint deal is approved, buckle up. The New T-Mobile will bring 5G to everyone, everywhere!

2. No Verizon 5G* coverage map.

Verizon – the people who practically invented the coverage map – REFUSE to publish a coverage map for their 5G* (note: Verizon 5G* contains no actual 5G because it isn’t standards-based or mobile) … because their multi-billion dollar 5G* network covers blocks and blocks. And by the end of 2019, it’s not going to get that much better because it’s built on millimeter wave spectrum only. I predict at the end of 2019, Verizon will still be trying to hide how limited their 5G* is, and we will STILL not see a Verizon 5G* coverage map.

3. More AT&T 5G BS.

I predict media will use the words “AT&T” and “5G” and “BS” at least a dozen times in the same sentence in 2019 – maybe more. AT&T is trying to pull some straight up BS – showing a “5G”-ish indicator on the phone when it’s on LTE. They’ll basically be lying to their customers, and I and the rest of our team will continue to call them on it … and any other BS they try to pull. (Oh, and if you want to talk about 4G and HSPA+, try checking in with the standards bodies that classified HSPA+ as 4G. Then, let’s talk.)

4. T-Mobile will go beyond mobile.

In 2019, we’ll take our first steps to take on another stupid, broken, arrogant industry – maybe the stupidest, brokenest, arrogantest industry of all: Cable and Satellite TV. We’ll start to take on the Cableopoly on all fronts – TV AND broadband … all backed by the same Un-carrier approach of listening to customers and solving their pain points. But it’s not just about wireless, TV and broadband. I see a lot of other industries that need to be disrupted too – and the New T-Mobile, if approved by regulators, will have the ability to do just that! Wherever there are big corporations getting in the way of consumers, look out. Good chance we’re coming for you!

5. …and Big Cable’s walls will begin crumbling.

The Cableopoly doesn’t know how to treat customers or how to compete. And when they face competition, things will go to hell. That’s what will start to happen to Big Cable in 2019. You thought the Q3 TV subscriber loss was massive? Just wait. Once consumers have real choices – for both TV and home broadband, we’ll start to see cable businesses *really* erode. And with the New T-Mobile, it’ll only get worse for them next year and beyond.

6. Comcast and Charter will be even worse to their customers.

The Cableopoly is America’s most hated industry. No seriously, out of 64 industries tracked, ACSI ranks subscription TV lowest in customer satisfaction. They even got worse last year. Comcast and Charter are SO BAD they actually bring the average down. I predict things are going to get even worse for their customers. They’ll continue to screw them with hidden fees and deceptive billing, as they struggle with new competitors (ahem) in both TV and broadband.

7. At least one other major brand will adopt Team of Experts.

Earlier this year, we launched Team of Experts – no bots, no bouncing, no BS. Just real help from real people. Then, we hosted more than 150 companies – including 40 in the Fortune 500– to share how TEX works. I predict that in 2019, we’ll truly see other brands adopt TEX – because why wouldn’t they? It’s good for customers, employees and shareholders!  #CUSTOMERSFIRST

8. Verizon will win most ironic Super Bowl ad two years in a row.

I’m just going to leave this one right here.
        February 2018: Verizon Highlights First Responders in Super Bowl Spot
        August 2018: Verizon admits 'throttling' data to Calif. firefighters amid blaze
It’ll be hard – even for Verizon – to top this, but I’ve learned to never overestimate them.

9. Verizon will sell Oath.

Ok, this one is a lay-up, and we all know it. After spending $10 billion – money they made from their customers – they just admitted Oath is worth roughly $0. In 2019, they’ll finally give up. And Oath will go the way of Go90 … and Sugarstring … and the Redbox JV … and VCAST apps. I’ll be sad because it’s been a fun dumpster-fire to watch, but Verizon is a HUGE company so I’m confident they’re already well on their way to screwing something else up. So, the Oath fire sale is right around the corner. Who wants Tumblr?

10. Hans Vestberg will launch his own cooking show – it’ll be called SlowER Cooker Sunday.

After losing the speed crown to T-Mobile for 5 years, Verizon will finally embrace their position as most-congested & not-fastest network in the country, and because they have so many fresh ideas over there, they’ll launch SlowER-Cooker Sunday to celebrate. The recipes will taste like ash … and, of course, they’ll make you pay overages if you watch too long. Mike Sievert and I will live-stream our watching party.  
 

And one more thing…. I can’t call this a prediction, because I respect the process too much for that. But I am optimistic that regulators will finish reviewing our merger with Sprint – and they will see that the New T-Mobile will be a positive change for consumers and the country. And the New T-Mobile will bring more competition, more choices, lower prices – and the best damn 5G network in the world… to consumers across the country. It is going to be AMAZING!

Here’s to a legendary 2018 and an epic 2019!

John

Important Additional Information
In connection with the proposed transaction, T-Mobile US, Inc. (“T-Mobile”) has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-226435), which contains a joint consent solicitation statement of T-Mobile and Sprint Corporation (“Sprint”), that also constitutes a prospectus of T-Mobile (the “joint consent solicitation statement/prospectus”), and each party will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  The registration statement on Form S-4 was declared effective by the SEC on October 29, 2018, and T-Mobile and Sprint commenced mailing the joint consent solicitation statement/prospectus to their respective stockholders on October 29, 2018.  INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT CONSENT SOLICITATION STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.  Investors and security holders may obtain these documents free of charge from the SEC’s website or from T-Mobile or Sprint.  The documents filed by T-Mobile may be obtained free of charge at T-Mobile’s website, at www.t-mobile.com, or at the SEC’s website, at www.sec.gov, or from T-Mobile by requesting them by mail at T-Mobile US, Inc., Investor Relations, 1 Park Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or by telephone at 212-358-3210.  The documents filed by Sprint may be obtained free of charge at Sprint’s website, at www.sprint.com, or at the SEC’s website, at www.sec.gov, or from Sprint by requesting them by mail at Sprint Corporation, Shareholder Relations, 6200 Sprint Parkway, Mailstop KSOPHF0302-3B679, Overland Park, Kansas 66251, or by telephone at 913-794-1091.

Participants in the Solicitation
T-Mobile and Sprint and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of consents in respect of the proposed transaction.  Information about T-Mobile’s directors and executive officers is available in T-Mobile’s proxy statement dated April 26, 2018, for its 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  Information about Sprint’s directors and executive officers is available in Sprint’s proxy statement dated June 26, 2018, for its 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and in Sprint’s subsequent Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2018.  Other information regarding the participants in the consent solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in the joint consent solicitation statement/prospectus.  Investors should read the joint consent solicitation statement/prospectus carefully before making any voting or investment decisions.  You may obtain free copies of these documents from T-Mobile or Sprint as indicated above.

No Offer or Solicitation
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.  No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 
This communication contains certain forward-looking statements concerning T-Mobile, Sprint and the proposed transaction between T-Mobile and Sprint. All statements other than statements of fact, including information concerning future results, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “could” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed transaction, including anticipated future financial and operating results, synergies, accretion and growth rates, T-Mobile’s, Sprint’s and the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and the expected timing of completion of the proposed transaction. There are several factors which could cause actual plans and results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining, required regulatory approvals, and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed transaction, or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions to the proposed transaction on a timely basis or at all; the occurrence of events that may give rise to a right of one or both of the parties to terminate the business combination agreement; adverse effects on the market price of T-Mobile’s or Sprint’s common stock and on T-Mobile’s or Sprint’s operating results because of a failure to complete the proposed transaction in the anticipated timeframe or at all; inability to obtain the financing contemplated to be obtained in connection with the proposed transaction on the expected terms or timing or at all; the ability of T-Mobile, Sprint and the combined company to make payments on debt or to repay existing or future indebtedness when due or to comply with the covenants contained therein; adverse changes in the ratings of T-Mobile’s or Sprint’s debt securities or adverse conditions in the credit markets; negative effects of the announcement, pendency or consummation of the transaction on the market price of T-Mobile’s or Sprint’s common stock and on T-Mobile’s or Sprint’s operating results, including as a result of changes in key customer, supplier, employee or other business relationships; significant transaction costs, including financing costs, and unknown liabilities; failure to realize the expected benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction in the expected timeframes or at all; costs or difficulties related to the integration of Sprint’s network and operations into T-Mobile; the risk of litigation or regulatory actions; the inability of T-Mobile, Sprint or the combined company to retain and hire key personnel; the risk that certain contractual restrictions contained in the business combination agreement during the pendency of the proposed transaction could adversely affect T-Mobile’s or Sprint’s ability to pursue business opportunities or strategic transactions; effects of changes in the regulatory environment in which T-Mobile and Sprint operate; changes in global, political, economic, business, competitive and market conditions; changes in tax and other laws and regulations; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the Form S-4, as well as in T-Mobile’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov and www.t-mobile.com, and in Sprint’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and “MD&A — Forward-Looking Statements,” as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov and www.sprint.com. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, persons reading this communication are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. T-Mobile and Sprint assume no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this communication (whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise), except as required by applicable law.