Jan 7, 2019

Rural carriers, progressive group oppose Sprint/T-Mobile merger

The chief executives of T-Mobile and Sprint. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Rural internet providers and the progressive group Demand Progress Education Fund have joined a coalition trying to quash T-Mobile's proposed purchase of Sprint.

Why it matters: The deal remains under review by the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice.

Details:

  • New members of the 4Competition Coalition include United Wireless Communications, in Kansas; Indigo Wireless, in Pennsylvania; the American Antitrust Institute; Demand Progress Education Fund; and the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association.
  • The coalition launched earlier this year with members from progressive politics as well as competitors to T-Mobile and Sprint, like DISH Networks and the rural carriers.
  • Critics of the deal say that going from four to three national wireless carriers will hurt consumers. The companies say it will help them better roll out next-generation wireless technology.

The big picture: The deal remains under review but, so far, it’s unclear whether there’s any momentum among regulators to stop it.

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