NEWS 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street, S.W. 
Washington, D. C.  20554 
 
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. 
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). 
 
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: 
March 12, 2013      Courtney Reinhard, 202-418-2013 
        Email: Courtney.Reinhard@fcc.gov   
 
 
STATMENT OF COMMISSIONER AJIT PAI 
ON APPROVAL OF THE T-MOBILE AND METROPCS LICENSE TRANSFER 
Re:  Applications of Deutsche Telekom AG, T-Mobile USA, Inc. and MetroPCS 
Communications, Inc. for Consent to Transfer Control of Licenses and Authorizations, 
WT Docket No. 12-301. 
When markets are competitive, consumers are better off when the government forbears 
from intervening and allows private parties to negotiate and enter into voluntary agreements.  As 
I have said before, mutual consent implies mutual benefit, and it is accordingly in the public 
interest for freely-negotiated contracts to be allowed and enforced so long as third parties are not 
harmed. 
That’s why I welcome today’s action by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau 
approving the license transfer between T-Mobile and MetroPCS well before the expiration of the 
Commission’s 180-day transactional shot clock.  Additionally, the Bureau did not impose 
divestitures or similar conditions on this combination of the fourth and fifth largest wireless 
providers, in recognition of the highly competitive nature of the wireless market.  Going forward, 
I hope that the full Commission’s approach to reviewing transactions also reflects prompt 
consideration on the merits.