sprinttmobileBack in December, it was reported that Sprint -- the U.S.'s third-largest cell carrier -- was preparing a bid to acquire T-Mobile, the country's fourth-largest carrier. The deal, depending on the stake Sprint attempts to buy, could be worth more than $20 billion.

Recently, a pair of Sprint board members met with the U.S. Department of Justice to discuss a possible acquisition, reports The Wall Street Journal. The report says the DoJ has concerns over a potential deal.

The conversation, which occurred in January, signals the seriousness of Mr. Son's interest in a deal, but also underscores his highest hurdle. U.S. antitrust authorities believe the current lineup of four national carriers is important to maintaining a competitive market, and department officials indicated at the meeting that a deal combining Sprint and T-Mobile could face regulatory difficulties, the people said

According to the WSJ, Sprint has lined up roughly $31 billion in potential financing and the company is not deterred from pursuing an acquisition.

Japanese carrier Softbank purchased a 70 percent controlling interest in Sprint back in 2012 for roughly $20 billion. T-Mobile is majority owned by German telecom giant Deutsche Telekom.

Previously, AT&T attempted to acquire T-Mobile but government intervention prevented the deal from concluding. Since then, the companies have had a growing feud as they launch ever escalating marketing efforts in an attempt to poach each other's customers.

Top Rated Comments

wordoflife Avatar
153 months ago
Sprint has shown time and time again how incompetent they are. T-Mobile is actually doing well and growing at an extremely fast rate. Would hate to see Sprint get ahold of T-Mobile.

AT&T and Sprint would not be doing some of the things they are doing right now if it were not for T-Mobile's Uncarrier. Verizon will probably follow up soon with something.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kazmac Avatar
153 months ago
Good

4 companies are better than three. And I'd hate to see Sprint get T-Mobile.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tiger8 Avatar
153 months ago
Shut up, Sprint!

So Sprint cried like a baby when AT&T was to accuire T-Mo, and now they want to accuire T-Mo themselves?

Also, how many incompatible technolgies can Sprint take?

First they accuired Nextell which cost them billions of dollars in loses, then they accuire ClearWire (again, after letting go of it) and they kill it and will be phasing out its WiMax, and now a GSM carrier? Are you kidding me?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Agent OrangeZ Avatar
153 months ago
I hope a deal can be reached! :D

You like high priced wireless service?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OrangeSVTguy Avatar
153 months ago
We need as many as companies as possible. All these acquisitions of bigger companies eating up these little companies isn't leaveing much of a choice for consumers.

This country doesn't need a single Monoply for wireless service.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DJsteveSD Avatar
153 months ago
The justice dept doesn't like this merger but they let the AA/US Air one go through. hello higher airline tickets!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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