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20. Roger Linquist, Chairman, CEO, MetroPCS
What makes him powerful: Remember when paging was a powerful force in the wireless industry? Roger Linquist certainly does. The long-time wireless veteran founded PageMart Wireless in 1989 and was a founding director of the CTIA.
That wireless industry knowledge came in handy when Linquist founded MetroPCS in 1994. As a flat-rate regional operator, MetroPCS offers innovative no-contract monthly plans that include unlimited long-distance, unlimited text messaging and more. The company's strategy is to launch its service in urban markets where population makes capital deployments more efficient. In April 2007, MetroPCS launched a $1.15 billion IPO.
Although MetroPCS lacks a nationwide footprint, the carrier recently made coverage less of an issue by ending all pending litigation with rival Leap Wireless. At the end of September, the two companies announced they would be entering into a national roaming deal that allows their customers to roam on each other's networks.
While rumors continue to bubble beneath the surface that the two will merge before the end of the year, Linquist has given no indication that such a move is imminent.
Linquist also made a canny move when MetroPCS announced the MetroFlash service in August, which allows customers with CDMA phones from other operators to bring their existing phone over to MetroPCS service and have it "flashed" so that it will work on the network, for a fee of $30.
As traditional operators encroach on MetroPCS' territory with their own flat-rate plans, the competitive landscape is intensifying. Linquist, however, seems to be succeeding in keeping MetroPCS a step ahead of the rest.
25 Most Powerful People in Wireless
Comments
Posted by Tabatha | March 16, 2009 - 11:56am
I am very upset with this company. I have to exchange out a total of 5 phones in the last 6 months. I get put on hold for hours, no response to emails and told there is no corporate number. They sell a model of phone that has major problems and wont do nothing about it. I guess next step is the Better Business Bureau
Posted by Steven Montes | April 5, 2009 - 3:06pm
I switched from Verizon to Metro PCS on the first of April. Now that I have purchased this plan, I found out that I don't have any service at my residence. I have to travel 5 miles to get phone service !! I think this is ridiculous.. Your company says I can't get my money back, so what am I supposed to do ???
Posted by Demetrius Morrison | May 19, 2009 - 2:10pm
I am upset that your company has failed to assist with recovering a missing child that an Amber Alert has been issused on. I was told by that Statesville Police Dept. that your company has done nothing in recovering my grandson James Harris II who was taken from Statesville NC by his mother who uses a Metro PCS phone. I would just ask that if this is not true that someone from your company contact Inv. Bill Ritter, Statesville Police Dept. 704-878-3406 to provide the assistance that we need.
Posted by Neil Walter | July 18, 2009 - 6:50pm
Metro PCS is the biggest peice of garbage that u can get in corporate America! Ithought it would be great $65 unlimted - guess what you don't want to hear about my horror story with these people - I am switching back to verizon for $99 a month unlimted - that's where I am.
Posted by Anonymous | August 5, 2009 - 5:17pm
First thing first you get what you pay for my self by expirence could tell you that I have being with the company for 4 years and the only thing I could say I have save mayor money that I being spending traveling and you and no one else could say any different I rather have to buy another phone then pay triple another company
Posted by Anonymous | October 5, 2009 - 9:57am
Metro PCS service is great! My son and I have MetroPCS and we havent had any problems. Major cell companies do not care about consumers. MetroPCS offers great plans and its a wonder why all of major cell companies will not provide plans like Metro PCS. Instead major wireless service companies want to charge deposits of $500.00 (found money) to get service from them where consumers have less than perfect credit. Thats stupid. Metro PCS has wonderful plans wrote out in simple black and white to fit your "NEEDS" unlimited web browser, unlimited everything....and ect.. They are great to give to your children to call while getting on and off there buses and so forth. MetroPcs is wonderful and they are growing. Give there towers a chance to spread. Lets just all be happy that you do have this ability to have a wireless phone because if you get behind on these major companies, they will cut you off in a minute, then will hit your credit in no time at all in which you will have to pay the entire balance before getting cut back on and when you try to go to another major wireless phone company, they like charge you $500.00 (found money) deposits just to get a wireless phone. So when times get bad for you, metroPCS will be there so you can have a cell phone. Yes right now i am sure it doesnt benefit some in some of the areas they are in and may not get service in some spots. However, that will change. Lets just hope MetroPCS doesn't change there services to become like your usuall major cell phone providers. Stop complaining!
Posted by Anonymous | November 1, 2009 - 9:35am
MetroPCS is a growing company and everyone who says negative things will soon be using Metro once again. Metro will be the biggest wireless company in the USA. Everyone please unlimit your self...
Posted by Happy customer | November 1, 2009 - 9:39am
908 Hinson ave in haines city fl 33844 has the best manager and the best employees. They are very friendly and very honest. Lets not forget very funny. once you walk in the building they make you feel like family. They will talk to you as a family member. I love when I go ther because I always get good customer service. If anyone is having a problem Jose or dave will take care of that problem and I promise you will leave happy..
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