T-Mobile Customers Pay More Under AT&T Plans

Among the arguments raised by opponents of AT&T's proposed $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile: the deal would remove a wireless carrier known for catering to budget-conscious consumers, according to a story by Mark Walsh at mediapost.com.
Indeed, T-Mobile has long positioned itself as a lower-cost option to larger rivals, including AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint. But does T-Mobile really offer better deals on service plans than AT&T?

Yes, according to a new analysis by Consumer Reports. It found that T-Mobile wireless plans typically cost $15 to $50 less per month than comparable plans from the carrier planning to swallow it.

The consumer watchdog said the finding also validated concerns that T-Mobile customers migrating to AT&T plans would likely pay more for service than they would have with T-Mobile. And that T-Mobile's exit from the market would eliminate a lower-priced alternative from the market.

The Consumer Reports finding comes as Congress is preparing to scrutinize the AT&T/T-Mobile merger, with the Senate scheduled to hold its first hearing on the deal May 11. The FCC and the U.S. Department of Justice must also approve the merger before it can be completed. At the state level, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman recently announced plans to review the transaction.

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