Official Tmobile-Sprint merger discussion thread

[dkyeager]

https://www.rcrwireless.com/20190603/carriers/amazon-reportedly-interested-in-buying-boost-mobile

Amazon's interest may have a different twist.

[RedSpark]

2 hours ago, tyroned3222 said:

Good sign for the merger


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Seems like they're trying to straighten things up on the debt side....

[bigsnake49]

I think that spinning off Boost is a positive step and so is confirming that Altice's MVNO arrangement with Sprint and maybe expanding it. I think  offering to host Dish's 600Mhz and AWS-3 spectrum right away and then band 70 later on advantageous commercial terms will go a long way towards merger approval. Now if the feds or T-Mobile can convince Dish to buy Boost from them so they can start with some customers then everybody comes out a winner. The Feds have their 4th network, Dish does not have to forfeit their spectrum and does not have to build a network from scratch and Sprint and T-Mobile get their merger approved and possibly get some mid spectrum capacity to use. Win-win-win. Now if they can convince Comcast to let T-Mobile to host their spectrum and become an MVNO then it can be win-win-win and win.

Edited June 4, 2019 by bigsnake49

[Tengen31]

Do you all think this will be the week we hearing something from the FCC and DOJ on approval?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[dro1984]

We already heard from the FCC.  All eyes and timepieces are focused on DOJ.  The DOJ, who is dragging their feet... which gives more time for opponents and opposition and bad news stories to get published which rattle the markets for both Sprint and T Mobile.    This thing should of closed already.      In most other reviews, the FCC and DOJ simultaneously agree or disagree and the report is given on the same day.   

[tyroned3222]

We already heard from the FCC.  All eyes and timepieces are focused on DOJ.  The DOJ, who is dragging their feet... which gives more time for opponents and opposition and bad news stories to get published which rattle the markets for both Sprint and T Mobile.    This thing should of closed already.      In most other reviews, the FCC and DOJ simultaneously agree or disagree and the report is given on the same day.   

Stock took a bit of a hit from what I’m reading.. looks like delharim is out of the country and gave his staff heavy loading on the negotiations. Even so much that the fcc may have to revise there concessions


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dro1984]

Great!  I say scrap it all and let start over.   After all, it's only time and money.   Forget about 5G and VoLTE!  We have to debate them starting up a 4th player!    I don't think the DOJ wants to outright block them, because I think they are afraid they'd loose in the courts.   

[Brad The Beast]

So T-Mobile wants Sprint's 2.5GHz. Let's say the merger falls through. What would the odds be of a 5G only network sharing agreement between Sprint and T-Mobile (like Bell and Telus in Canada but only for 5G)? 

[dkyeager]

13 hours ago, dro1984 said:

We already heard from the FCC.  All eyes and timepieces are focused on DOJ.  The DOJ, who is dragging their feet...

Why should they act before the FCC gives its formal approval for their plan which is scheduled for June 15th at the earliest?

[Tengen31]

Why should they act before the FCC gives its formal approval for their plan which is scheduled for June 15th at the earliest?

I thought approval was the first week of June? Which is this week

 

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

[tyroned3222]

I thought approval was the first week of June? Which is this week  

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

180 days are now over. The official going on the record will be around the 15th. That’s when they all go on the podium and give there votes. So, everything will be in more detail in the coming days from the sources.. as to how the DOJ and states want to pursue this deal

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dro1984]

Yeah, I thought it was early June as well.   I could be wrong.   None of it matters until the DOJ is done. 

P.S.  Thanks for the update Tyroned... You answered before I could post. 

Edited June 5, 2019 by dro1984

[dro1984]

9 hours ago, Brad The Beast said:

So T-Mobile wants Sprint's 2.5GHz. Let's say the merger falls through. What would the odds be of a 5G only network sharing agreement between Sprint and T-Mobile (like Bell and Telus in Canada but only for 5G)? 

I'm not sure if network sharing were to happen, that it would only be 2.5G.   I think it would have to be everything.   Especially since Sprint doesn't have VoLTE set up everywhere.  Doesn't that play into factors as well?   

Does anyone know how many different updates Sprint currently have in process?  (VoLTE, LTE advanced (Massive Mimo), and 5G?   Aren't these all separate but lead to 5G?   Kinda typical and frustrating.   Too many irons in the fire and none complete.    

Edited June 5, 2019 by dro1984

[danlodish345]

I'm not sure if network sharing were to happen, that it would only be 2.5G.   I think it would have to be everything.   Especially since Sprint doesn't have VoLTE set up everywhere.  Doesn't that play into factors as well?  

That most definitely plays into this whole thing. Without volte the network sharing agreement is moot.

Sent from my Phone 2 using Tapatalk

[RedSpark]

T-Mobile merger bid has cost Sprint $346M

Not cheap.

[tommym65]

32 minutes ago, RedSpark said:

T-Mobile merger bid has cost Sprint $346M

Not cheap.

The story is behind a paywall.  Could you summarize it or cite an alternate source?

Thank you.

[RedSpark]

13 minutes ago, tommym65 said:

The story is behind a paywall.  Could you summarize it or cite an alternate source?

Thank you.

It’s citing a recent filing that Sprint submitted which shows this cost.

Sprint 10-K: https://s21.q4cdn.com/487940486/files/doc_financials/quarterly/2018/Q4/6e85121b-8fd4-4683-9245-773404e6fa25.pdf

See Page 34:

“We also incurred merger-related costs of $346 million , which were recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. We expect to recognize merger-related costs until the Merger Transactions are completed.”

In comparison, Sprint lost $180 million on the abandoned monopole build strategy: https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/sprint-lost-180m-abandoned-monopole-network-buildout-plan

[Mercurial1]

Plus sprint will have to reimburse some of TMobiles merger costs if it doesn't go through.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[RedSpark]

11 hours ago, Mercurial1 said:

Plus sprint will have to reimburse some of TMobiles merger costs if it doesn't go through.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

Here’s info on this: https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/t-mobile-sprint-odds-and-ends-breakup-fee-washington-reaction-vendor-implications-and-more

“As noted by Axios, Sprint and T-Mobile won’t have to pay a breakup fee if regulators from the FCC or Department of Justice manage to kill the proposed merger. However, according to documents the companies filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, T-Mobile would owe Sprint $600 million if the company decides to walk away from the transaction, among other circumstances.”

I hope it goes right to capex or paying down debt.

[dkyeager]

On 6/6/2019 at 8:05 AM, RedSpark said:

Here’s info on this: https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/t-mobile-sprint-odds-and-ends-breakup-fee-washington-reaction-vendor-implications-and-more

“As noted by Axios, Sprint and T-Mobile won’t have to pay a breakup fee if regulators from the FCC or Department of Justice manage to kill the proposed merger. However, according to documents the companies filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, T-Mobile would owe Sprint $600 million if the company decides to walk away from the transaction, among other circumstances.”

I hope it goes right to capex or paying down debt.

Considering that Sprint reportedly has spent $345 million so far on the merger, $600 million might just bring them back to even.

[RedSpark]

2 hours ago, dkyeager said:

Considering that Sprint reportedly has spent $345 million so far on the merger, $600 million might just bring them back to even.

It certainly could!

Nobody will ever do the kind of breakup fee that T-Mobile had with AT&T again.

I’m still in disbelief that AT&T agreed to that arrangement: $4B to $6B depending on how you value it.

https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/12/20/att-and-t-mobile-whats-2-billion-among-friends/

It literally saved T-Mobile.

[Brad The Beast]

Sprint Communications Announces Successful Consent Solicitation with Respect to its 7.000% Guaranteed Notes due 2020

https://newsroom.sprint.com/sprint-communications-announces-successful-consent-solicitation-with-respect-to-its-7000-guaranteed-notes-due-2020.htm

[Cubbiefan82]

Am I the only one that thinks peter adderton is friends/giving money/pushing the doj to help him get his company back. SMH

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-09/boost-mobile-founder-met-doj-friday-on-t-mobile-sprint-review

[dkyeager]

https://www.foxbusiness.com/media/makan-delrahim-ajit-pai-meet-friday-to-discuss-t-mobile-sprint-deal-as-doj-decision-looms

 

[dro1984]

This feels like one of the longest mergers in history to me.   After nearly a year and half... I have a hard time thinking the DOJ would reject this.  If they were, they should have done it long ago (months).    But now, can't figure out what is taking so long to review?   Everyday is morning money wasted.