A proposed merger between T-Mobile and Sprint has taken a leap closer to reality as FCC Chairman Ajit Pai gives his backing.
The $26.5 billion merger proposal would result in the combined entity having a similar number of subscribers to AT&T and Verizon. As the 5G rollout picks up pace, the pair argues this will enable them to be more competitive and speed up deployments.
Opponents of the deal are concerned that reducing the number of major US operators to just three will be harmful to competition. Such a reduction has the potential to drive up consumer prices and reduce the need for innovation.
