BELLEVUE, Wash. and OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The US$26-billion proposed merger between T-Mobile and Sprint cleared another hurdle Tuesday when a U.S. Federal Court judge in New York ruled in favour of the companies after several U.S. states filed a joint lawsuit to block the merger last year.
The merger, first announced in April 2018, has already gained approval from the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
In a news release Tuesday, T-Mobile CEO John Legere said: “Today was a huge victory for this merger…and now we are finally able to focus on the last steps to get this merger done… We’ve said it all along the new T-Mobile will be a supercharged Un-carrier that is great for consumers and great for competition. The broad and deep 5G network that only our combined companies will be able to bring to life is going to change wireless…and beyond. Look out Dumb and Dumber and Big Cable — we are coming for you…and you haven’t seen anything yet!”
Sprint executive chairman Marcelo Claure added: “Today brings us a big step closer to creating a combined company that will provide nationwide 5G, lower costs, and a high-performing network that will invigorate competition to the benefit of all mobile wireless and in-home broadband consumers. With the support of federal regulators and now this Court, we will focus on quickly completing the few remaining necessary steps to close this transaction. I am proud of my Sprint team’s dedication, passion and resilience throughout the merger review process, and we are ready to make the vision of a New T-Mobile a reality.”
The T-Mobile and Sprint merger still remains subject to certain closing conditions, including possible additional court proceedings, says the news release.
According to a report on Vox.com, the merger still needs approval by the California Public Utilities Commission. The Vox report also suggests wireless prices in the U.S. will ultimately increase if the merger is allowed to go through.
In anticipation of the merger being finalized, the two companies have already set up a website at www.NewTMobile.com.
