While the device is has a nice aluminum body, don’t think it to be a weighty piece of kit. It’s rather lights, and it’s 4.5 inch PureMotion HD+ fits in the hand very nicely. The rounded edges surrounding the device also help this great in-hand feel. While the pack plate of the Lumia 925 is polycarbonate, it’s certainly “metal enough” to get the quality feel we’ve come to expect. This isn’t a HTC One, of course, but no phone can really compare to it in the in-hand feel department.

The sides of the 925 are simple, leaving the most important bits. You’ll find the volume rocker, power/lock button, as well as the dedicated camera button on the right side, leaving the left panel of the device clean. Nokia also felt the need to cram the micro SIM card slot, Micro USB port, and 3.5mm headphone jack at the top of the handset, leaving the bottom of the device clean as well.

The back of the 925 is a feast for the geeky eyes. Living within the polycarbonate backing is a large speaker grill, as well as the 8.7MP PureView camera, and the Nokia logo in between the two.

Windows Phone has seen some great handset designs from Nokia and HTC, but the Lumia 925 takes the great design we’ve seen from previous handsets and gives it a great build quality to match the beautiful design.

It’s going to be a tough call between the Lumia 925 and 928 if you’re looking for the next greatest Nokia Windows Phone handset. Still, while the very-plastic 928 has its advantages, it certainly feels nowhere near as great in the hand as the beautifully designed and crafted Lumia 925.

Check out the gallery below!

For customers, there will be no immediate changes to their service. Eventually, though, T-Mobile will shut down MetroPCS’ service and will repurpose the wireless assets for its 4G and LTE service. With this acquisition, T-Mobile will now have 43 million subscribers and coverage that extends to 301 million people. According to T-Mobile’s press release, 228 million people are currently blanketed by T-Mobile 4G and 200 million are expected to be covered with 4G LTE by the end of 2013.

You can read more about the merger details in the press release below.

[Via T-Mobile]

T-MOBILE AND METROPCS COMBINATION COMPLETE-WIRELESS REVOLUTION JUST BEGINNING
T-Mobile US to Ring NYSE Opening Bell as Trading Begins Today Under Ticker “TMUS”

BONN, GERMANY and BELLEVUE, WA / (May 1, 2013) — Deutsche Telekom AG (XETRA: DTE; “Deutsche Telekom”) and T-Mobile US, Inc. today announced the completion of the combination of T-Mobile USA, Inc. and MetroPCS Communications, Inc., uniting two wireless innovators with one common vision: to bring wireless consumers exciting new choices while delivering an exceptional experience. The combined company, T-Mobile US, Inc., will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange today under the ticker “TMUS.”

“The combination of T-Mobile and MetroPCS creates an even stronger disruptive force in the U.S. wireless market,” said John Legere, President & Chief Executive Officer of T-Mobile US, Inc. “Together, as America’s Un-carrier, we’ll continue our legacy of marketplace innovation by tearing up the old playbook and rewriting the rules of wireless to benefit consumers.”

As previously announced, the Board of Directors of the combined company will have 11 members, including two directors of MetroPCS who will continue with the combined company. Tim Höttges, currently Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Telekom, will serve as Chairman of the Board.

“By uniting T-Mobile and MetroPCS, we have created a dynamic new player in the wireless industry that has the right strategy and management team in place to compete successfully in today’s marketplace,” said Mr. Höttges. “We look forward to realizing the tremendous potential of the new T-Mobile.”

A few facts about America’s Un-carrier:

• 2012 combined entity results would have reflected $24.8 billion of revenue, $6.4 billion of adjusted EBITDA1, $3.7 billion of capital expenditures (excluding spectrum purchases)2, and $2.7 billion of free cash flow3.
• Approximately 43 million subscribers as of March 31, 2013, two exceptionally strong brands, and 70,000 customer touch points.
• A wider choice of outstanding wireless devices, including iPhone, offered through simple, affordable rate plans for unlimited talk, text and Web – with no restrictive annual service contracts required.
• The combined company’s total PoP coverage is 301 million, of which 283 million are covered by owned network. 228 million are currently served with 4G and 200 million are expected to be covered with 4G LTE by the end of 2013.
• An enhanced spectrum position that will provide greater network coverage and deeper 4G LTE coverage in key markets across the country. Combining the two companies’ spectrum provides a path to at least 20+20 MHz of 4G LTE in approximately 90% of the top 25 metro areas in 2014 and beyond.
• Target five-year (2012 – 2017) compounded annual growth rates in the range of 3% – 5% for revenues, 7% – 10% for EBITDA and 15% – 20% for free cash flow.
• Projected cost synergies of $6 – $7 billion (net present value4), with additional potential upside from the focused geographic expansion of the MetroPCS brand.

Under the terms of the business combination agreement, MetroPCS effected a 1 for 2 reverse stock split, made a cash payment of $1.5 billion to its stockholders (approximately $4.05 per share prior to the reverse stock split), and acquired all of T-Mobile’s capital stock from Deutsche Telekom in exchange for approximately 74% of MetroPCS’ common stock on a pro forma basis.

The combined company is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington and maintains a significant presence in Richardson, Texas. The combined company will be led by President & Chief Executive Officer, John Legere, with former MetroPCS Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, J. Braxton Carter, serving as CFO. As previously announced, the combined company will operate T-Mobile and MetroPCS as separate brands, led by Jim Alling and Thomas Keys, respectively, migrating to a common network infrastructure and with common support functions.

To mark the successful completion of the transaction, Mr. Legere and several customer-facing employees will ring the Opening Bell of the NYSE today, May 1, 2013.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
Information regarding the 2012 combined revenues, adjusted EBITDA, capital expenditures (excluding spectrum purchases), and free cash flow for the combined company is presented for informational purposes only. These combined company measures represent the sum of these financial measures for each company in 2012. They are not intended to represent or be indicative of the results of operations or financial position of the combined company had the business combination been consummated on January 1, 2012, and should not be taken as representative of the future results of operations or financial position of the combined company. This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a complement to, but not as a substitute for, financial information determined in accordance with GAAP.

1 The following tables illustrate the historical 2012 calculations of Adjusted EBITDA for T-Mobile USA, Inc. and MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and reconcile Adjusted EBITDA for each company to each company’s net (loss) income, which T-Mobile considers to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to Adjusted EBITDA.

2 Capital Expenditures (excluding spectrum purchases) represent the sum of each company’s capital expenditures (excluding spectrum purchases) for 2012.

3 Free Cash Flow represents Adjusted EBITDA for each company (as calculated above) less Capital Expenditures (excluding spectrum purchases) for each company.

4 NPV is calculated with a 9% discount rate and 38% tax rate.

According to the telco’s spokeswoman Kari Ramsey, GoSmart Mobile is still going strong and it will be a “a complementary offering to both T-Mobile and MetroPCS offerings.”

T-Mobile launched GoSmart nationwide in February, making it available at three price points ranging from $30 to $45 per month. The first option includes no mobile data whatsoever whereas the last one comes with 5GB of high-speed web service. As I’m writing this, potential GoSmart customers can choose between two different handsets, the ZTE V768 and Alcatel OT-838, or just buy a SIM card (and use it with any phone they want).

As for how things are progressing with the merger, last time we checked, MetroPCS shareholders approved the deal and now it’s just a matter of structuring the deal to meet the needs of both parties…

[Via: FierceWireless]

The deal could close in the first half of this year and will bring 9 million new customers to T-Mobile. T-Mobile will also get access to MetroPCS’s regional cellular network, which will help the carrier as it builds out its 4G LTE network.

[Via Bloomberg and Reuters]

However both companies have been at the mercy of MetroPCS’s shareholders — until today.  A huge shift has transpired that may have swayed the momentum back to both companies, as the largest shareholder has finally given the nod to the merger.

Paulson & Co. MetroPCS’ largest investor has been a thorn in the side of the company’s plan to merge with T-Mobile. Now the investment firm has changed its tune, instead opting to back the deal after implementing some changes to the terms.

In a statement the firm said:

“While Paulson needs to review the revised proxy statement before making a final decision, Paulson intends to vote for the merger as restructured.”

To better smooth things over, Deutsche Telekom, parent company of T-Mobile, cut the amount of debt the combined company would acquire by $3.8 billion. Of course, this move was great news for Paulson because picking up some more of the debt gives them more profit on their investment.

Happy with the turn of events, T-Mobile parent company said “This improved offer underlines Deutsche Telekom’s commitment to establishing a new, stronger competitor in the U.S. mobile communications market.”

In the end, we expect all the other shareholders opposing the deal to come onboard. These guys would have to be completely out of their minds to let this T-Mobile merger go down the toilet, because MetroPCS on its own isn’t in good shape.

[Bloomberg; via TmoNews]

]]> http://www.intomobile.com/2013/04/11/metropcs-largest-investor-changes-course-now-backs-tmobile-merger/feed/ 0 http://www.intomobile.com/2013/04/01/metropcs-urges-stockholders-vote-tmobile-merger-april-12/ http://www.intomobile.com/2013/04/01/metropcs-urges-stockholders-vote-tmobile-merger-april-12/#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 04:56:20 +0000 Kelly Hodgkins http://www.intomobile.com/?p=413715 ... Read more]]> MetroPCS passed all regulatory hurdles standing in the way of its merger with T-Mobile USA, but now the carrier faces a vote from its stockholders. A special meeting to decide the fate of the T-Mobile merger will be held on April 12th, and, according to Reuters, a thumbs-up vote is not a given.

MetroPCS is courting its stockholders to get final approval for the deal. In a letter sent to stockholders on Monday, the wireless carrier claimed T-Mobile is the future for the carrier and said there is no assurance that the company will survive on its own.

Some stockholders, including the biggest MetroPCS shareholder But Paulson & Co, are not impressed with the deal and are vowing to vote against it during the mid-April meeting.

[Via Reuters]

Next up is a special meeting for MetroPCS stockholders to vote on the merger. The meeting will be held on April 12, 2013. Stockholders are expected to approve this merger. You can read more in the press release below.

T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS Announce Receipt of All Required Regulatory Approvals for Proposed Combination
BONN, Germany; BELLEVUE, Wash. and RICHARDSON, Texas, March 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Deutsche Telekom AG (XETRA: DTE; “Deutsche Telekom”), T-Mobile USA, Inc. (“T-Mobile”) and MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE: PCS; “MetroPCS”) today announced that they have now received all regulatory approvals in connection with the proposed combination of T-Mobile USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, and MetroPCS.

On March 20, 2013, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States advised Deutsche Telekom and MetroPCS that it has determined that there are no unresolved national security concerns with respect to the transaction and that it has therefore concluded its review. This concludes all regulatory approval the parties were seeking prior to closing the proposed combination, which remains subject to the approval of MetroPCS stockholders.

A Special Meeting of MetroPCS stockholders to vote on matters relating to the proposed combination of MetroPCS with T-Mobile has been scheduled for April 12, 2013. MetroPCS stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 11, 2013 are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. The combination is expected to close shortly after the Special Meeting.

The MetroPCS board unanimously recommends that stockholders vote their shares FOR all of the proposals relating to the proposed combination with T-Mobile by returning the GREEN proxy card they will receive in due course with a “FOR” vote for all proposals. The failure to vote or an abstention has the same effect as a vote against the proposed combination. Because some of the proposals required to close the proposed combination require at least an affirmative vote of a majority of all outstanding shares, MetroPCS stockholders’ votes are important. If stockholders vote against the proposed combination, there is no assurance that MetroPCS will be able to deliver the same or better stockholder value.

The Company urges stockholders to discard any white proxy cards, which were sent by a dissident stockholder. If a stockholder previously submitted a white proxy card, the Company urges them to cast their vote as instructed on the GREEN proxy card, which will revoke any earlier dated proxy card that was submitted, including any white proxy card.

“With today’s approval, America’s mobile market continues to strengthen, moving toward robust
competition and revitalized competitors. We are seeing billions more in network investment, while the
courts have upheld key FCC decisions to accelerate broadband build-out, promote competition, and
benefit consumers, including our broadband data roaming and pole attachment rules. Today’s action will
benefit millions of American consumers and help the U.S maintain the global leadership in mobile it has
regained in recent years. “

“Mobile broadband is a key engine of economic growth, with U.S. annual wireless capital investment up
40% over the last four years, the largest increase in the world, and few sectors having more potential to
create jobs. In this fast-moving space, of course challenges remain, including the need to unleash even
more spectrum for mobile broadband and continuing to promote competition and protect consumers. The
Commission will stay focused on these vital goals.”

Now that the FCC has backed the proposal, MetroPCS must still get approval from its stockholders. The board of MetroPCS sent out a letter urging stockholders to vote for the merger at a special stockholder meeting on April 12th.

How do you feel about the MetroPCS T-Mobile merger? Let us know your thoughts below.

[Via: FCC]

This is great news for Metro PCS. Bringing their version of the Galaxy S III from Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean puts it on par with other providers, such as AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon who have already updated their Galaxy S III handsets to Jelly Bean.

With the update to Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2, Metro PCS Galaxy S III users will enjoy the new features such as Google Now and an updated notification system. So if you are anxious to receive this update, head over to Settings > About Device > Software Update on your phone and see if the update has arrived. Have you received the update yet? How is it?

[Via: Phonedog]

Customer drop off was only at 3.4 percent, which is at the lowest level ever. Roger D. Linquist, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPCS, believes things we’ll get even better because of the company’s aggressive LTE network expansion. Linquist in a said:

“The fourth quarter continues our transformation as a company to 4G LTE For All. We ended 2012 with over 2.2 million 4G LTE subscribers, double from where they were at the end of the third quarter of this year. 4G LTE subscribers at the end of 2012 represented 26% of our total subscriber base.”

MetroPCS is definitely on the rise, as it looks to keep customers and close its merger with T-Mobile USA by April. “We anticipate closing the transaction in early April.” All the company has to do is get majority of its shareholders on board, which seems to be happening. We’d be surprised if MetroPCS has any issues with the FCC and DOJ with signing off on this merger, once it is a done deal. Time will tell.

[via PR Newswire]