legere.jpg
Bellevue-based wireless company T-Mobile hopes a new data plan and their "disruptive" new leader John Legere will draw in customers. (T-Mobile image)

T-Mobile shakes up wireless world

BY KIRO Radio Staff  on January 9, 2013 @ 5:27 pm (Updated: 5:52 pm - 1/9/13 )

T-Mobile says it has its "T-Mojo" back.

The Bellevue-based wireless company has announced an industry-first unlimited nationwide 4G data plan to no-contract customers. It has also reportedly entered into a partnership with Apple to offer the iPhone.

The company has dubbed itself the "uncarrier," and hopes a new, hipper image will bring in customers.

"We're directly confronting the frustrations of American consumers fed up with the cost, complexity and congested networks of our competitors," John Legere, president and chief executive officer of T-Mobile USA, said in a press release.

Legere made headlines this week after using some harsh words to describe his competitors during a press conference Tuesday at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

He reportedly referred to AT&T's network as "crap," and went on to say he "saw more honesty on a Match.com ad than AT&T's coverage maps."

"Is this the face of the coolest wireless company?" GeekWire's John Cook wrote Wednesday, referring to Legere's comments. "Hang on, folks. This could be a fun ride."

Brad Duea, senior vice president of product management for T-Mobile, told KIRO Radio Wednesday that Legere is a "dynamic leader who is very disruptive."

"He's encouraging us to focus on the customer, challenge these industry norms and have fun while we do it," Duea said. "Some carriers are bureaucratic, big and slow. Instead, we're decisive. We're moving forward rapidly to do things that are pleasing to the customer."

KIRO Radio Staff, Staff report
Straight from the newsdesk.
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Comments (10)


  • Add A Comment

  • Burn_Notice wrote...
    He'll never last running the company
    January 9, 2013 6:52 pm
    "We're moving forward rapidly to do things that are pleasing to the customer." Not possible! Everyone knows making customers happy in the cellular market is about 8th on the priority list for most companies.

    Overcharging, hidden fees and the only way to get a new phone is to change carriers as cell companies couldn't give a crap about current customers. You want the new Samsung Galaxy IIIs and you been a customer for what 10 years? Sure we will knock $100 off if you sign a 2 year contract, but if you are a new customer that phone is $300 off with the same 2 year prison sentence.

    I dare someone to walk into Verizon or any carrier for that matter and ask for a phone that can places calls, receive calls, doesn't drop your calls and has good clear transmission. Additionally, you don't need it to take pictures, check email, tweet about what you just had for lunch, play games, and tell you when the next showing of the latest junk vampire movie is showing. You know, actually function as a freakin' PHONE! Ugg.. Head Slap! The salesperson will look at you with a lost blank stare of confusion.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Boatdrnk32 wrote...
    I made a mistake.....
    January 9, 2013 9:03 pm
    I switched to T-Mobile their coverage is horrible, can hardly wait until our contract is up so we can switch to Verizon, I don't care how "cool" John thinks he can make the company, until he can have the coverage and reliability of Verizon they will still be inferior.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ Burn_Notice
    January 9, 2013 9:51 pm
    There are non data phones and plans available for most carriers!

    @ Boatdrnk32: Yes, T-Mobile coverage is wanting. And their award winning "customer service" is also quite abysmal. I personally have Verizon and my wife has T-Mobile. She has had issues with her phone since the get-go. She has exchanged the phone numerous times through their mail service. Each phone has had legitimate issues, but they (the date of the issues) have been far enough between that they are not considered lemon. And her coverage is quite dismal. The only up side is she pays much less than I do for a somewhat "unlimited" data plan and phone and texting.

    I pay more, but my coverage, so far, is much better!

    I guess the old adage "You get what you pay for" is still alive and well....

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    I will say
    January 10, 2013 4:33 am
    Having been with Verizon for about 12 years, I'travel constantly and ii've had very few problems. Their customer service has been excellent. My daughter switched to T-mobile a few months ago and has problems constantly. She has HUGE regrets about changing carriers. I never gave it much thought until she switched from our family plan. unfortunately, now I see the difference.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Driesel206 wrote...
    Its crazy
    January 10, 2013 6:30 am
    It's crazy the difference between your service and mine. I never have any problems with my T-Mobile Phone. no dropped calls, i get great data speeds, and I don't pay an arm & leg for service.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Verizon coverage was so bad in areas IN THE CITY
    January 10, 2013 7:04 am
    I upgraded my phone while still within an existing contract so I paid full ($$$) price for the phone. The signal was so bad in areas around Seattle and I spent hours on the phone with their customer service and tech support and they were so indifferent and eventially blamed the compatability of the phone on their network. Thanks for telling me that before a paid full price a-holes. They refused to do anything above give me some bonus minutes. I paid my way out of the contract and switched carriers. Verizon sucks. See you later a-holes.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rjflipper61 wrote...
    Steve Buscemi
    January 10, 2013 7:15 am
    I had no idea that Steve Buscemi is now running T-mobile.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ rjflipper61
    January 10, 2013 7:50 pm
    Funny! There is a slight similarity now that you mention it...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sean wrote...
    ATT doesn't have much to brag about either.
    January 10, 2013 7:40 am
    They're lucky they have the iPhone market cornered; I sure wouldn't be with them otherwise and either way, it would be nice to have a CHOICE of carriers...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    Uhh, Sean
    January 10, 2013 7:48 pm
    ATT's exclusive contract with Apple expired quite some time ago. Verizon and others have been carrying it for awhile now...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }