What If Apple Used Their Cash To Buy T-Mobile Or Sprint?
A nice thought by former Apple executive Jean-Louis Gassée, but not gonna happen.
Even if Apple was able to pass regulatory scrutiny for this (they’d argue that they’d still work with Verizon and AT&T and that Android is closer to a monopoly), such an undertaking would undoubtedly be a massive headache for Apple just from a logistics perspective.
Could they offer a better service than any other carrier right now? Of course. But that isn’t saying much. In fact, it’s saying next to nothing — that’s why this is such a nice thought.
But as a carrier, Apple would have to worry about things like upgrading networks, getting local governments to approve towers, even more customer service, etc. It would be a huge distraction from the core business: selling devices.
Gassée also hits on a key point at the end: sure Apple could buy someone like T-Mobile or Sprint in the U.S. market, but the greater opportunity is worldwide. Such a buy here would mean nothing for the larger pie.
Having said all of that, I would not be surprised at all if Google eventually tries to buy a carrier. They also shouldn’t, and would face an even rougher time from a regulatory perspective. But Google wants to do everything. So they’ll try someday, I imagine.
