Intel CEO backs SoftBank's bid for Sprint over Dish's offer

[god_43]

(Reuters) - Intel Corp Chief Executive Paul Otellini said in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission that he supports SoftBank's bid for Sprint Nextel Corp, rather than Dish Network's counter offer.

Sprint, the No. 3 U.S. wireless service provider, is considering a $25.5 billion bid from Dish but has also said it is on track to close its $20.1 billion pact with SoftBank by July 1.

In his letter addressed to the FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski that was made available to Reuters, Otellini said he is travelling in Asia, has met with SoftBank Chief Masayoshi Son and that Son's vision to build a high-speed competitive third national network "is very compelling".

"We need this competition in the wireless space as the ATT/Verizon model is not giving that to consumers at this time," Otellini said.

http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7022301842


http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...93T03120130430


....omg....since when does intel care about competition, or giving consumers what they want? what is intel getting out of this? wow...just wow.

[Otis11]

Intel wants competition in every market they are not in - gives them multiple entities to play off each other.

[yojimbo197]

Whoever buys them needs to get rid of the numbskulls who proposed and managed the merger with Nextel. And the jackasses who were in charge of customer service. They screwed themselves over not caring about the churn rate.

One of the best days of 2009 was when I told Sprint to take a flying leap and signed up with Verizon. No dropped calls every day, and customer service who actually knew how to take care of problems.

[Sparky]

Too bad Verizon nickels and dimes you to death. Every little thing costs extra, it is ridiculous.

I have Sprint through work and really don't have any complaints. My brother had all those problems you mention years ago but they have since improved a lot of things, at least in this area.

[paulbagz]

The way things work with Telco's in the USA just sounds so strange (coming from an Australian).

-PB

[[XC] Lead Head]

The way things work with Telco's in the USA just sounds so strange (coming from an Australian).

-PB

Elaborate.

[paulbagz]

Elaborate.

Well I imported a T-Mobile phone and it says you guys have to pay extra for tethering? =/

Does the USA have the cost of the phones built into the plans?

I.E. in Australia we just pay a flat monthly rate of $60 and get the phone etc, I've heard in the USA you have to buy the device outright or a fair chunk of it?

-PB

[STEvil]

Depends on the plan you choose

1 year plan would be $/mo + $50-200 depending on phone
2 year plan could be $/mo or $/mo+


Here in Canada you need to buy a 3 year plan to get the average equivalent of a US 2 year plan ($/mo and phone for "$0").. its almost cheaper to buy a phone from the US and have an unlimited plan than it is to go with the 3 year plans up here..


edit

And yes, tethering is an option that costs more if you want to use it, depending on your provider. Some dont care, some do. Its rather frustrating.

[DilTech]

I don't see Sprint ignoring an offer of 5.4 billion MORE just because intel said they'd rather their business partner, softbank, buy out sprint.

[deathman20]

I don't see Sprint ignoring an offer of 5.4 billion MORE just because intel said they'd rather their business partner, softbank, buy out sprint.

Sometimes it depends of the feasibility of the deal. Especially if they include stocks into their own company. If that company really tanks the well they have less money then.