07-26-2019, 07:39 AM
Sprint & T-Mobile merger could win DOJ approval as soon as Wednesday
<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/sprint-t-mobile-merger-could-win-doj-approval-as-soon-as-wednesday.jpg" width="1" height="1" title="" alt="" /></div><div><p><!-- font size selector, BEGIN --> <span class="cfix"> </span> </p>
<p class="gray small byline"> By <a href="https://appleinsider.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1664707f7871776556717b777f7a3875797b">Roger Fingas</a> <br /><span class="gray">Monday, July 22, 2019, 07:44 pm PT (10:44 pm ET)</span> </p>
<p> <span><span class="article-leader">The contentious $26.5 billion merger of T-Mobile and Sprint is reportedly close to approval by the U.S. Department of Justice, to the point an announcement could be made as soon as Wednesday.<br /></span></p>
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<div class="article-img"><img src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/sprint-t-mobile-merger-could-win-doj-approval-as-soon-as-wednesday.jpg" alt="T-Mobile sign" height="371" class="lazy" data-original="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/sprint-t-mobile-merger-could-win-doj-approval-as-soon-as-wednesday-1.jpg"><img src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/sprint-t-mobile-merger-could-win-doj-approval-as-soon-as-wednesday-1.jpg"></div>
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<p>The tentative deal would require the creation of a fourth wireless competitor, <em>CNBC</em> sources said. <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/07/02/deal-for-sprint-t-mobile-merger-could-turn-dish-into-a-new-wireless-carrier">As rumored</a> that firm should be Dish, the people <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/22/t-mobile-sprint-merger-expected-to-finalize-this-week.html">went on</a>, adding that it’s unlikely to face limitations requested by T-Mobile owner Deutsche Telekom since the DOJ wants a genuine fourth competitor in the U.S. carrier market. In particular, Dish may be free to sell an equity stake to whomever it wants.</p>
<p>That firm may also absorb Sprint prepaid brand Boost Mobile, but initially rely on T-Mobile’s network, switching to its own 5G as the sharing agreement ends — likely in 6 to 7 years. In return for network use T-Mobile is expected to “receive about half of the economics” from each person signing up to Dish wireless.</p>
<p>Dish currently specializes in live TV via satellite and Sling, but has wanted to become a mobile carrier for a decade, snapping up wireless spectrum accordingly. In fact the company has until March 2020 to prove to the Federal Communications Commission that a sizable portion is being used.</p>
<p>Two threats to the merger remain. Sprint and T-Mobile have set a self-imposed July 29 deadline, but more significantly, <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/06/11/10-us-states-file-suit-to-block-proposed-sprint-t-mobile-merger">a lawsuit by state attorneys general</a> — now up to 13, plus the District of Columbia — could block a deal on competitive grounds.</p>
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<div style="margin: 5px 5% 10px 5%;"><img src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/sprint-t-mobile-merger-could-win-doj-approval-as-soon-as-wednesday.jpg" width="1" height="1" title="" alt="" /></div><div><p><!-- font size selector, BEGIN --> <span class="cfix"> </span> </p>
<p class="gray small byline"> By <a href="https://appleinsider.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1664707f7871776556717b777f7a3875797b">Roger Fingas</a> <br /><span class="gray">Monday, July 22, 2019, 07:44 pm PT (10:44 pm ET)</span> </p>
<p> <span><span class="article-leader">The contentious $26.5 billion merger of T-Mobile and Sprint is reportedly close to approval by the U.S. Department of Justice, to the point an announcement could be made as soon as Wednesday.<br /></span></p>
<div align="center">
<div class="article-img"><img src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/sprint-t-mobile-merger-could-win-doj-approval-as-soon-as-wednesday.jpg" alt="T-Mobile sign" height="371" class="lazy" data-original="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/sprint-t-mobile-merger-could-win-doj-approval-as-soon-as-wednesday-1.jpg"><img src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/sprint-t-mobile-merger-could-win-doj-approval-as-soon-as-wednesday-1.jpg"></div>
<p><span class="minor2 small gray"></span></div>
<p>The tentative deal would require the creation of a fourth wireless competitor, <em>CNBC</em> sources said. <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/07/02/deal-for-sprint-t-mobile-merger-could-turn-dish-into-a-new-wireless-carrier">As rumored</a> that firm should be Dish, the people <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/22/t-mobile-sprint-merger-expected-to-finalize-this-week.html">went on</a>, adding that it’s unlikely to face limitations requested by T-Mobile owner Deutsche Telekom since the DOJ wants a genuine fourth competitor in the U.S. carrier market. In particular, Dish may be free to sell an equity stake to whomever it wants.</p>
<p>That firm may also absorb Sprint prepaid brand Boost Mobile, but initially rely on T-Mobile’s network, switching to its own 5G as the sharing agreement ends — likely in 6 to 7 years. In return for network use T-Mobile is expected to “receive about half of the economics” from each person signing up to Dish wireless.</p>
<p>Dish currently specializes in live TV via satellite and Sling, but has wanted to become a mobile carrier for a decade, snapping up wireless spectrum accordingly. In fact the company has until March 2020 to prove to the Federal Communications Commission that a sizable portion is being used.</p>
<p>Two threats to the merger remain. Sprint and T-Mobile have set a self-imposed July 29 deadline, but more significantly, <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/06/11/10-us-states-file-suit-to-block-proposed-sprint-t-mobile-merger">a lawsuit by state attorneys general</a> — now up to 13, plus the District of Columbia — could block a deal on competitive grounds.</p>
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