FAQs

  1. Question: What is the main reason senators oppose the T-Mobile and Sprint merger?
    Answer: Senators oppose the merger due to concerns that it would lead to higher prices, reduced competition, and a wider digital divide.

  2. Question: Which presidential candidates have expressed their disapproval of the merger?
    Answer: Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Sherrod Brown, and Bernie Sanders have all signed letters opposing the merger.

  3. Question: Why did the FCC and Justice Department reject AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile in 2011?
    Answer: The agencies concluded that the reduction in competition caused by the merger would harm consumers.

  4. Question: What is T-Mobile’s CEO, John Legere, arguing in favor of the merger?
    Answer: Legere argues that the merger is necessary to ensure US dominance in 5G wireless networks and will allow T-Mobile to better compete with AT&T and Verizon.

  5. Question: What is Sprint Executive Chairman Marcelo Claure emphasizing in his testimony?
    Answer: Claure is highlighting that the combined company’s improved network will attract customers who have hesitated to use Sprint or T-Mobile due to concerns about network quality.

  6. Question: How are Chinese network equipment makers Huawei and ZTE connected to the merger?
    Answer: Huawei’s relationship with Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile’s owner) and Softbank (Sprint’s owner) has raised security concerns for some experts.

  7. Question: What can lawmakers do regarding the merger?
    Answer: While lawmakers cannot directly approve or reject the merger, they can exert political pressure on the agencies responsible for making the decision, such as the Justice Department and the FCC.

  8. Question: When are T-Mobile CEO John Legere and Sprint Executive Chairman Marcelo Claure expected to testify?
    Answer: They are scheduled to testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee on the merger.

  9. Question: What is T-Mobile’s slogan?
    Answer: T-Mobile’s slogan is “Un-carrier.”

  10. Question: What is the expected outcome of the merger?
    Answer: The merger, if approved, would reduce the number of national wireless carriers in the US from four to three.

  11. Question: Who are some of the senators who signed the letters opposing the merger?
    Answer: Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Sherrod Brown, and Bernie Sanders are among the senators who signed the letters.

  12. Question: What are the senators’ concerns about the merger?
    Answer: The senators are concerned that the merger will raise prices for consumers, harm workers, stifle competition, exacerbate the digital divide, and undermine innovation.

Summary

The proposed merger between T-Mobile and Sprint has sparked opposition from several Democratic senators, including presidential candidates. The senators express concerns that the merger would lead to higher consumer prices, stifle competition, and widen the digital divide. T-Mobile CEO John Legere and Sprint Executive Chairman Marcelo Claure are defending the merger, arguing that it is necessary to secure US dominance in 5G wireless networks and enhance competition. The House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee will hold hearings on the merger to gather testimony from executives. The outcome of the merger remains uncertain, but it could significantly impact the telecommunications industry and consumers. For more information and updates, please visit our website.