The merger is taking its next expected step, but the battle with 16 attorneys general still looms large.
T-Mobile and Sprint have taken another step closer toward getting their $26.5 billion merger approved, together with the Federal Communications Commission declaring Wednesday that it’s ready to vote on the offer.
The information was anticipated after the Department of Justice gave its OK to The wireless tie-up last month, using Dish Network having agreed to buy divested Sprint assets to become a new fourth wireless carrier. The FCC had indicated in May that it would approve the deal, but it didn’t take an official vote.
“After Among the very comprehensive merger reviews in Commission history, the evidence demonstrates that this trade will bring fast 5G wireless service to many more Americans and help close the digital divide in rural areas,” FCC chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement.
“Moreover, With the conditions contained in this draft Order, the merger will promote strong competition in mobile broadband, put significant midband spectrum to use and deliver new competition to the fixed broadband marketplace.”
Along with providing the OK on T-Mobile and Sprint, Pai’s launch also announced that the FCC is set to provide Dish its requested extension for deploying its spectrum. The satellite TV provider was formerly facing a March 2020 deadline to use its billions of dollars of spectrum holdings, but was hoping to get that pushed in light of the deal together with T-Mobile.
While The statement is a step to the merger, Wednesday’s news was more an expected formality than anything else. T-Mobile still wants to win over over a dozen state attorneys general suing to block the deal on anticompetitive motives.
FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks additionally tweeted criticism of the decision being made without public opinion.
“Sprint/T-Mobile Is among the largest deals ever reviewed by @FCC. What is before us now is not the same deal the parties registered months ago. To tackle DOJ concerns, parties made a new deal. I am surprised @FCC is blowing past precedent & practice by failing to seek public input,” Starks tweeted Wednesday afternoon.
He added that the merger will”alter The future of wireless support” and affect everyone with a phone. Starks also pointed to the state attorneys general suit against the Bargain, and stated”we shouldn’t rush our ruling w/o public comment.”
