July 26, 2019

(Arlington, Virginia) — This morning CASE Chairman Gerard Scimeca issued a statement praising the Department of Justice’s decision to green-light the merger between wireless carriers Sprint and T-Mobile, leading to the creation of New T-Mobile.

“Today’s Department of Justice decision approving the merger between Sprint and T-Mobile is welcome news for millions of U.S. consumers who will hopefully soon experience the many benefits that revolutionary 5G technology will bring to their lives. This is especially the case for some 60 million consumers living in rural America, where today’s broadband and wireless options are woefully inadequate.

“In addition to helping bring rural America more fully into the fold of today’s rapidly growing digital economy, consumers especially will be the big winners of this merger through the arrival of a true third national wireless carrier to challenge the current duopoly of Verizon and AT&T. New T-Mobile’s presence will spark increased competition in digital products and services, leading to more innovation for consumers at lower prices.

“Both Sprint and T-Mobile have spent many months working hard to ensure that this merger is in the best interest of all stakeholders. Now that the deal has the approval of the DOJ, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, ‘Team Telecom’ and 18 of 19 state public utilities commissions, we hope that any remaining barriers to the successful completion of the deal, including a frivolous lawsuit brought by some state attorneys general, are quickly removed.”