What AT&T acquisition means for T-Mobile customers

When AT&T Illinois President Paul LaSchiazza walked into our office, he was armed with plenty of papers.

Since he’s a wireless guy, it was

nice he didn’t just email them.

He was touting the acquisition of T-Mobile and what it would mean to the wireless industry and to the consumer — you know, the little guy who is now waiting for prices to increase.

But LaSchiazza said that won’t happen, at least not right away.

“As we’ve said, we’ll honor their plans through their contract periods,” LaSchiazza said. “They can keep their current plan or change to one of our plans.”

If you’re a T-Mobile customer, it’s likely because it was less expensive than AT&T. By the time the merger is approved in about a year, and then after another year for the corporate transition, what will you end up paying? It’s anybody’s guess.

The merger would expand AT&T’s reach statewide, LaSchiazza said. It also would give T-Mobile customers access to 4G wireless service, he pointed out, saying it’s unlikely T-Mobile would upgrade to 4G on its own since that company wanted to focus its resources more on Europe, instead of the U.S. market.

LaSchiazza says competition is still strong in the Chicago market, with at least a dozen carriers. Competition and consolidation help the consumer, he said.

“That’s what drives innovation and pricing,” he said. “Any time there’s consolidation, prices have gone down.”

Time will tell.

LaSchiazza also addressed a few other topics:

ŸWhat’s happening to AT&T’s Midwest headquarters in Hoffman Estates? AT&T continues to seek companies willing to sublease its buildings, despite the sluggish market. He said the consolidation at the campus isn’t due to workforce reductions, but rather is caused by a more mobile workforce that doesn’t necessarily use all the office space anymore.

ŸWill the company stay in Hoffman Estates or look for another location? “We’re always looking for ways of running our business in a more cost-effective manner. Anything’s possible. But not in the near term,” said LaSchiazza.

ŸAs for the study released this week raising anew the possibility of a link between mobile phones and cancer, LaSchiazza thinks it’s unlikely many people will forego their mobile phones. “We cannot turn back the clock,” he said. “But we have a responsibility to educate the public.”

Surfing: If you are a consumer or small business customer of PNC Bank, you now can use mobile deposit via your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad2. The new technology started this week and allows you to select the deposit account and the amount, photograph the front and back of the check, and make the deposit. Mobile deposits made before 8 p.m. could be available the next business day. No fees are associated with this new technology. If you have Android smartphones, you’re out of luck, at least for now. That’s still being considered, said Tom Trebilcock, PNC’s vice president of eBusiness and payments.

ŸVerizon Wireless, which has its Midwest headquarters in Schaumburg, will start selling the 4G LTE-enabled Sansung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with pre-orders on June 8 at VerizonWireless.com/galaxytab4glte. It will arrive in Verizon stores this summer. The 16 gigabyte model will be $529.99 and the 32 GB for $629.99 with a two-year contract.

ŸLibertyville-based Motorola Mobility has launched its Xoom tablet in Thailand. ... And speaking of Xoom, Verbatim — a provider of data storage technology with flash drives, hard drives, memory cards and other products — has introduced the Easy Riser Wireless Bluetooth mouse for Xoom. It’s adjustable for height and designed for left and right-hand use. It operates on two AAA batteries and costs $29.99 at Amazon, Fry’s Electronics and B&H.

ŸChicago-based U.S. Cellular introduces two more Android-powered smartphones, the HTC Merge and the LG Genesis, each costing $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. Both debut on June 9. And, of course, you’re on the hook for a data plan and a new two-year contract.

ŸNorthbrook-based Evolution Wines & Spirits has launched its e-commerce site at www.evolutionwines.com. The site integrates their social networks, such as Facebook, an e-newsletter and a wine blog.

ŸFollow Anna Marie Kukec on LinkedIn and Facebook and as AMKukec on Twitter. Write to her at akukec@dailyherald.com.