[Kenneth]

I have been a cell phone user since late 1998. First started out on AT&T Wireless, then VoiceStream (T-Mobile), and now back to AT&T Wireless (Cingular).

The question begins. In the past few years, there were a lot of providers to choose from. Nowadays, it's getting less and less. Recently, Cingular got AT&T Wireless. Just few days ago, I heard Sprint may acquire Nextel and Verizon considering bid for Sprint.

What's going on?

[Mafia]

free market economy imo.

[SafariX]

Big fishes eat smaller fishes who eat smaller fishes.

Its like one of those Russian egg things really.

[itai195]

Too many providers, high churn, and shrinking growth. That's what causes this consolidation. Personally I think it's a good thing, as the overcrowded market seemed to result in a lot of providers all offering immature products. AT&T already had a great network in some areas, so hopefully the Cingular merger will only strengthen their service quality.