Here’s what we have for you today:
• T-Mobile unwinds
• Softbank founder leverage
• Unnecessary prescriptions
SoftBank founder going deep
How far? SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son increased the amount of stock pledged as collateral to financial institutions to 175.25 million shares.
Getting shaky: Due to mounting losses at SoftBank’s core Vision Fund investment business, Son is personally on the hook for about $5.1 billion on side deals he previously set up to boost his compensation.
Investment losses: SoftBank earlier this month posted a net loss of $5.9 billion for the December 2022 quarter, with the Vision Fund segment contributing the majority of that drop on declining startup valuations.
Unfriendly T-Mobile
Yours truly: Now, under current CEO Mike Sievert, T-Mobile appears to be losing popularity.
For profit: Back in November, for example, the company made a major change to its activation fee policy. The carrier earlier had waived its $35 activation fee for online orders. It dropped that policy in late 2022.
“The fee is charged per line that is added or upgraded via any method. Whether you’re upgrading your phone to a new device, adding a Bring-Your-Own-Device line, or even ordering a Home Internet line, you’ll pay the new $35 fee.”
More unfriendly: Currently, T-Mobile gives customers a $5 price break per month, per line if they pay via bank account, debit card, or credit card. That has generally been industry policy because the carriers don’t want customers to have to manually make a payment.
The carrier plans to limit that discount to people who pay with a bank account or debit card as soon as May 2023. Customers can still pay their bills with a credit card, but they will no longer get the $5 discount.
Inappropriate COVID prescriptions causing antimicrobial resistance
Misuse: Research has previously identified seasonal spikes in antibiotic use correlating with the winter virus season. (Concerning because antibiotics are designed to target bacteria, and have no effect on viruses such as those which cause colds or flu.)
Issue: Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in COVID could be contributing to the problem.
Basic prevention: Fundamentally, tackling the issue of antibiotic resistance requires increased public awareness of the issue, enhanced global surveillance of antibiotic use and resistance, improved infection control policies, and better sanitation.