FWIW -- my take is still that SoftBank assumed it was going to get everything it asked for....
- buy sprint
- buy clearwire
- buy TMO
I'm still taken back that SB assumed --- hey yeah the American's will let us come in and buy three (2 national and one semi-national/local) networks in less than 24 months???
With that I believe SB wanted (will) invest gobs of cash to be in the top 2, BUT didn't count on also battling for the number three spot at the same time! Which is in my opinion diverting much needed cash for becoming No 1 or 2.
THAT all said -- SB might see this as a harder fight and may want to slow its roll on Sprint at the moment. Especially if Crazy Uncle Charlie buys TMO.
okay have fun with that post now :-)
john