Written for dealers. This post shares our view as an independent multi-carrier retailer. Looking for help with your own phone? Visit our help center.
As most, if not all, of you have heard (especially everyone in the industry), T-Mobile is acquiring Mint Mobile, Ultra Mobile and Plum in a $1.35 billion deal.
There were rumors about it many weeks ago, but those were just rumors and words on the grapevine. However, today T-Mobile came out and said that they will be acquiring the 3 companies (I hope Ryan Reynolds still makes those funny commercials).
So what does this mean, especially for Ultra Mobile (we won’t talk about Mint or Plum)? This is the company that matters most to me and to all the Ultra Mobile dealers.
First of all, I hope that they do not let go of any of the Ultra Mobile reps (at least the ones that I know), since I have built a great relationship with each and every one of them.
Second, I hope the residuals that all the dealers have worked so hard to build up remain untouched. Many dealers have worked hard to build up their residuals, and it’s an important commission they get each month that helps pay the rent and bills, buy more equipment and even go towards their employees’ pay. It comes in every month and all the dealers look forward to it.
Third, with T-Mobile as their parent, I believe and hope that T-Mobile will be able to offer their Ultra Mobile dealers HANDSETS. Yes, HANDSETS. This is something that most, if not all, Ultra Mobile dealers have been asking and hoping for. With T-Mobile already offering subsidized equipment to their dealers, I believe this is foreseeable for us, the Ultra Mobile dealers. It would allow Ultra Mobile dealers to compete with Simple Mobile and the subsidized handsets it offers its dealers. Subsidized handsets make a big difference in activations.
So with that said, I am excited to see a strong and positive future for us, the Ultra Mobile dealers.
Some quick things that I believe will happen with this acquisition over time:
- T-Mobile handsets being subsidized for the Ultra Mobile dealers
- Ultra Mobile’s APN will become T-Mobile’s APN
- The data cap on the $49 and $59 plans will be increased
- Better roaming rates and capability under T-Mobile
- Ultra Mobile master dealers will be able to offer T-Mobile Prepaid to their dealers
- Smaller Ultra Mobile master dealers will be eliminated
- Ultra Mobile will still remain T-Mobile’s multi-carrier company (no exclusive)
- And handsets... oh, I said that already
Well, let’s see what’s down the road, but I’m very hopeful about this and I think it will definitely benefit the dealers.
T-Mobile to acquire Ryan Reynolds’s Mint Mobile in a $1.35 billion deal: MarketWatch.com (source)
