How did we ever live before the days of PR-run social media accounts for major corporations and CEOs of said corporations randomly engaging in internet sabre-rattling with competitors? This truly is a golden age, and AT&T, T-Mobile, and John Legere reminded us of that fact yesterday, when the three got into it over a disgruntled AT&T subscriber ready to head for pinker pastures. Jay Rooney, the subscriber in question, tweeted the following yesterday around 11AM:
Just found out that @tmobile doesn't charge extra for overseas data. What the hell am I still doing with @ATT?
— Jay Rooney (@RamblingRooney) November 26, 2013
A stinging rebuke indeed for America's... Belliest (I'm running out of usable superlatives here) carrier, which continues to charge the same egregious international data roaming rates as much of the industry. T-Mobile, never one to miss an opportunity to dish on AT&T, was quick to respond:
@RamblingRooney You know there is an alternative to old-school wireless carriers, right? It’s called @TMobile, the #uncarrier ^ Lisa A
— T-Mobile (@TMobile) November 26, 2013
This, of course, led to additional celebration.
@RamblingRooney We are looking forward to you joining the T-Mobile family! ^ Lisa A
— T-Mobile (@TMobile) November 26, 2013
It's at this point that AT&T apparently would be having no more of this business, and issued a response of its own.
@RamblingRooney Resist the urge, Jay. We heard its dark, scary and no one can ever hear you. No one.
— AT&T (@ATT) November 26, 2013
AT&T seems to believe T-Mobile is some kind of basement torture box. And this is where the, if I may, smackdown commences.
@ATT Did your kindergarten panel write that for you? @RamblingRooney Global data at no extra charge vs. $$$$$$ #ItsNotComplicated
— T-Mobile (@TMobile) November 26, 2013
Zing. The humor of the situation isn't lost on Mr. Rooney, who quite admirably attempts to egg on the wireless warriors. AT&T, though, is suddenly above silly name-calling and is taking its kindergarten panel and going home.
@RamblingRooney No gloves out over here, Jay. It's too close to the holidays to be so disgruntled. #HappyCarrier
— AT&T (@ATT) November 26, 2013
Adding insult to injury, John Legere (CEO of T-Mobile), never one to shy away from an opportunity to bash the competition, straight up calls out AT&T's CEO to join in on the fun. Something tells me Randall Stephenson won't be signing up for Twitter any time soon, though.
@TMobile @ATT @RamblingRooney @RamblingRooney bet @ATT’s CEO isn’t going to join the convo. Come join the #WirelessRevolution! #Uncarrier
— John Legere (@JohnLegere) November 27, 2013
Ah, John, what would we do without you? You really are the most entertaining man in the wireless business - don't ever change.