US: Polarized reports foster uncertainty of Sprint/T-Mobile future

Media continue to report polarizing predictions for the uncertain buyout plans of T-Mobile by Sprint, as recent reports seem to suggest Sprint will pursue the deal in the same week other reports said the company was backing down from the idea due to regulatory skepticism.

Sprint parent company SoftBank has reportedly promoted the idea of consolidation in the US wireless market, arguing that Sprint’s position as the number-three carrier is not good enough.

SoftBank head Masayoshi Son has reportedly described the idea of Sprint climbing up the US ranks as “literally just a dream” without industry consolidation – a remark that seems to support plans for an acquisition attempt.

The CEO also reportedly told reporters in Japan that Verizon and AT&T, the top two operators in the US, hold an oligopoly over the market.

But the SoftBank head declined to comment specifically on a possible T-Mobile merger, and the reports come in the same week SoftBank was reportedly considering backing down from a T-Mobile bid after meeting with officials from the US Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission. The regulators reportedly expressed criticism and skepticism over any such deal, especially since authorities worked to bloc AT&T’s 2011 attempt to buy T-Mobile.

Full Content: Reuters and CNet

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