Earlier this month, T-Mobile completed the acquisition of UScellular’s wireless operations and spectrum assets. It also welcomed four million of the latter's customers to its network. While many stakeholders had opposed the transaction, for now, it appears to be beneficial for both sets of customers.
T-Mobile and UScellular customers are now enjoying better coverage due to an improved roaming experience.
T-Mobile customers can now access UScellular's network
Carriers purchase roaming services from other wireless providers to ensure their customers aren't left without coverage in areas where they don't have infrastructure.
UScellular mainly focused on rural areas and had reciprocal roaming agreements with many companies. T-Mobile was an exception, as even though it allowed customers of rural carriers to use its network, it didn't let its customers do the same.
However, since T-Mobile now owns UScellular, that barrier no longer exists. As a result, T-Mobile customers can now connect to UScellular towers in areas that previously were dead zones for them.
Do you think this acquisition is beneficial for both T-Mobile and UScellular customers?
Everything looks rosy in the beginning!
28.57%
We will find out in a few years.
57.14%
I guess so.
14.29%
Of course, the question remains whether T-Mobile will honor the roaming agreements UScellular had with other rural companies, though it's not legally required to do so.
When T-Mobile announced the completion of the transaction, it revealed that not only would UScellular’s customers benefit from its network, but the same would be true for T-Mobile customers who pass through UScellular's footprint.
In the coming months, T-Mobile and UScellular's networks will be merged and will function as one for an even better experience. That's because even though T-Mobile and UScellular have formally joined forces, their networks have not yet been integrated, so for now, their customers can only look forward to extended roaming capabilities for no additional charge. Before the purchase, UScellular customers only had limited roaming access to T-Mobile's network.
All in all, this is a win-win, with customers keeping their existing plan and having their existing network coverage with the added benefit of expanded coverage from one more network.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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