Sprint, T-Mobile Merger Back On Hold
Seeking Alpha provided this snippet where the T-Mobile (TMUS)/Sprint (S) merger is on hold again.
A big part of the merger holdup is the requirement of the DOJ for a 4th viable wireless carrier to exist. For this reason, my prediction has long held that the merger will get blocked. Dish doesn't appear ready to step-up to the plate without major handouts and T-Mobile doesn't want the merger, if the end result is to create a strong 4th competitor.
The prediction still remains that the merger gets blocked and Sprint dips to $3.
More research on the subject:
Seeking Alpha - Sprint: No Merger Approval Guaranteed
WhoTrades - June 11 blog post
Updated - July 12
Altice USA entering the bidding competition for new T-Mobile assets does increase the likelihood of a deal getting done. Altice has been more aggressive at actually creating a mobile service while DISH appears only interested in a gift (deal) that T-Mobile won't accept.
Altice USA (ATUS +2.1%) is the latest company to come in for a meeting with the FCC's transaction team handling the proposed $26.5B merger of Sprint (S +2%) and T-Mobile (TMUS +1.1%).
The DOJ has tentatively agreed to the merger based on Dish Networks (DISH) buying prepaid assets and spectrum from the new T-Mobile (TMUS). For now, 13 state AGs are still pursuing a lawsuit that would block the merger.
The biggest question is whether a Dish Networks with 9.3 million prepaid subs from Sprint that cost only $1.8 billion is a worthwhile competitor. Dish has the spectrum, but not much else to become a viable 4th competitor. The fact that T-Mobile agreed to this deal is very telling.
Questions still exist on whether this merger gets approval. Both AT&T (T) and Verizon Communications (VZ) are up suggesting where the market sees the advantages that a merger under these divestitures. Dish is only committing to cover 70% of the population with 5G by 2023.
- Dish notes it's committed to the FCC that it will deploy a facilities-based 5G broadband network capable of serving 70% of the U.S. population by June 2023, and it's requested (and will receive) license modifications to reflect that timeline.
Disclosure: No position. Please review the disclaimer page for more details.
T-Mobile (TMUS -1.9%) and Sprint (S -3.6%) are sliding off a new Wall Street Journal report that merger talks have slowed, over conditions around the involvement of Dish Network (DISH +0.5%) in the deal.
Talks are ongoing, but the two wireless carriers are planning to extend their merger agreement beyond its July 29 deadline to buy more time, according to the report -- a second extension of a deal that has dragged out more than a year.
A big part of the merger holdup is the requirement of the DOJ for a 4th viable wireless carrier to exist. For this reason, my prediction has long held that the merger will get blocked. Dish doesn't appear ready to step-up to the plate without major handouts and T-Mobile doesn't want the merger, if the end result is to create a strong 4th competitor.
The prediction still remains that the merger gets blocked and Sprint dips to $3.
More research on the subject:
Seeking Alpha - Sprint: No Merger Approval Guaranteed
WhoTrades - June 11 blog post
Updated - July 12
Altice USA entering the bidding competition for new T-Mobile assets does increase the likelihood of a deal getting done. Altice has been more aggressive at actually creating a mobile service while DISH appears only interested in a gift (deal) that T-Mobile won't accept.
Altice USA (ATUS +2.1%) is the latest company to come in for a meeting with the FCC's transaction team handling the proposed $26.5B merger of Sprint (S +2%) and T-Mobile (TMUS +1.1%).
Altice reiterated its prior advocacy and, according to its filing, discussed "commitments necessary from New T-Mobile to preserve sustainable competitive entry into the retail wireless market for the benefit of consumers.
Updated - July 26The DOJ has tentatively agreed to the merger based on Dish Networks (DISH) buying prepaid assets and spectrum from the new T-Mobile (TMUS). For now, 13 state AGs are still pursuing a lawsuit that would block the merger.
The biggest question is whether a Dish Networks with 9.3 million prepaid subs from Sprint that cost only $1.8 billion is a worthwhile competitor. Dish has the spectrum, but not much else to become a viable 4th competitor. The fact that T-Mobile agreed to this deal is very telling.
Questions still exist on whether this merger gets approval. Both AT&T (T) and Verizon Communications (VZ) are up suggesting where the market sees the advantages that a merger under these divestitures. Dish is only committing to cover 70% of the population with 5G by 2023.
- Dish notes it's committed to the FCC that it will deploy a facilities-based 5G broadband network capable of serving 70% of the U.S. population by June 2023, and it's requested (and will receive) license modifications to reflect that timeline.
Disclosure: No position. Please review the disclaimer page for more details.
Comments