Media Contact:
Will Adams, (202) 418-2007 
will.adams@fcc.gov 
 
For Immediate Release







Carr Welcomes Federal Court Approval of T-Mobile-Sprint Combination

Decision Marks Another Significant Win for America’s 5G Leadership

WASHINGTON, DC, February 11, 2020––FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr praised the federal court opinion released this morning that rejects a challenge to the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint.  Carr voted to approve the combination of the third and fourth largest wireless providers last fall, after more than a year of extensive review.  The FCC decision conditioned the merger on commitments to keep prices low, build out coverage to rural America, and accelerate the rollout of fast 5G services.

“Today’s court decision notches another solid win for U.S. leadership in 5G.  The federal court saw what I saw in this combination:  wireless competition in communities that have never had it; even stronger competition to market leaders Verizon and AT&T; and enforceable commitments that will accelerate the build out of fast 5G services to 99% of the U.S. population, which will help close the digital divide across rural America.

“The court also recognized that a standalone Sprint ‘does not have a sustainable long-term competitive strategy and will in fact cease to be a truly national’ carrier.  By combining Sprint’s underutilized spectrum resources with T-Mobile, the court joined the FCC and the DOJ in determining that New T-Mobile will have the capacity to deliver nationwide 5G while bringing new competition to the market.  

“I am also pleased that DISH will put its spectrum resources to work for Americans and that it has enforceable commitments to do so quickly.  A new nationwide competitor, unburdened by legacy technologies and with the immense resources that this transaction provides, should deliver even more service and value.  I look forward to working with DISH and all wireless providers to put their commitments into action for the benefit of the Americans we serve.”


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Office of Commissioner Brendan Carr: (202) 418-2200
www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/brendan-carr