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.