$TMUS Sprint considering acquisition of T-Mobile U
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Sprint considering acquisition of T-Mobile US -- report
NEW YORK, Dec 13, 2013 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Wireless carrier Sprint Corp. is eyeing T-Mobile US Inc., a merger that would reduce the market to three companies, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
Sources told the newspaper Sprint is studying industry regulations and could make a move for T-Mobile in the first half of 2014 in a deal that could be worth more than $20 billion.
Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc. are the nation's top two carriers, with Sprint and T-Mobile at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.
Antitrust authorities likely would oppose the merger, believing the lack of a fourth national competitor could force consumers to pay more, the newspaper said.
The Justice Department in 2011 nixed AT&T's attempt to acquire T-Mobile.
SoftBank Chief Executive Officer Masayoshi Son bought control of Sprint this year and is said to be interested in expanding in the U.S. market