A U.S. federal court on Tuesday ruled in favor of T-Mobile to acquire Sprint in a business that would further concentrate ownership of telecommunications in the United States and create a new market leader.
This brings together nation’s third and fourth largest wireless carrier , creating a new giant that will surpass rivals AT&T and Verizon. Incoming T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said that:”This is a BIG win & a BIG day for #NewTMobile! Now we can get to work finishing what we set out to do–bring a new standard for value, speed, coverage, quality & customer service to U.S. consumers everywhere & TRULY changing wireless for good.”
.@Verizon 5G walks into a bar....
— Mike Sievert (@SievertMike) February 8, 2020
Signal drops.
That’s it. That’s the joke.
The 173 page decision, made by The United States Southern District of NY Judge Victor Marrero, comes after a special lawsuit filed in June by state attorneys from 13 states and the District of Columbia. The ruling came after regulators at the Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission gave their blessing to get the job done.
FCC Chair Ajit Pai, whose commission approved the deal last year, welcomed the judge’s approval.
I’m pleased that a federal court has approved the @TMobile/@sprint transaction. Post-merger, the company has committed to bringing #5G to 99% of Americans within 6 years. The deal will also put critical mid-band spectrum assets to use. This is a big win for American consumers. pic.twitter.com/2ofEqxmDBq
— Ajit Pai (@AjitPaiFCC) February 11, 2020
Two companies had claimed their merger would help them compete against biggest players AT&T and Verizon and advance efforts to build a nationwide 5G network. At the NewTMobile.com statement they say that they:”… can change this failed status quo and lead in the 5G era. We can build the 5G network that America deserves and unleash Americans to do what we do best: create a brighter future for everyone.”
“Judge Marrero’s decision validates our view that this merger is in the best interests of the U.S. economy and American consumers,” said Sprint Executive Chairman Marcelo Claure.
But not everyone is happy about the merger, some of the reactions from Twitter folks.
@Sprint (SoftBank of Japan) and @TMobile (Deutsche Telekom of Germany) have been allowed to unite against American telecom providers, large and small, and consolidate their holdings of American radio spectrum. Bad news for competition, local providers, and rural communities.
— Directed^Energy (@Ike_Kiefer) February 11, 2020
Judge's OK of #TMobile - Sprint merger "Will harm communities of color and low-income communities across California,” says @Greenlining @PaulOverbite https://t.co/qK7RvfCJ0N
— Bruce Mirken (@BruceMirken) February 11, 2020
This is terrible news... i left #sprint to come to #Tmobile for a reason ... now I'm beong punked back to them🤦🏾♀️
— Dana B. (@SheSoCaliFresh) February 11, 2020
