FCC approves Sprint / T-Mobile Merger

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Early Monday, the Federal Communications Commission gave its stamp of approval for the Sprint and T-Mobile merger, with the condition that both companies speed up the rollout of their 5G Network when the merger has completed.

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Below is some of the FCC official press release:

CHAIRMAN PAI STATEMENT ON T-MOBILE/SPRINT TRANSACTION

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2019—Today, T-Mobile US, Inc. and Sprint Corporation committed to the Federal Communications Commission that they would take a series of significant steps if the companies’ merger application is approved. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai responded to these new commitments with the following statement:

“Two of the FCC’s top priorities are closing the digital divide in rural America and advancing United States leadership in 5G, the next generation of wireless connectivity. The commitments made today by T- Mobile and Sprint would substantially advance each of these critical objectives.
“For example, the companies have committed to deploying a 5G network that would cover 97% of our nation’s population within three years of the closing of the merger and 99% of Americans within six years. This 5G network would also reach deep into rural areas, with 85% of rural Americans covered within three years and 90% covered within six years. Additionally, T-Mobile and Sprint have guaranteed that 90% of Americans would have access to mobile broadband service at speeds of at least 100 Mbps and 99% would have access to speeds of at least 50 Mbps.

“The construction of this network and the delivery of such high-speed wireless services to the vast majority of Americans would substantially benefit consumers and our country as a whole.
“I’m also pleased that the companies have committed to a robust buildout of their mid-band spectrum holdings. Demonstrating that 5G will indeed benefit rural Americans, T-Mobile and Sprint have promised that their network would cover at least two-thirds of our nation’s rural population with high- speed, mid-band 5G, which could improve the economy and quality of life in many small towns across the country.

No word on when the merger proceedings will begin.