Sprint and T-Mobile are talking up their $26.5 billion combination as great for high-speed wireless investments, rural service and U.S. competitiveness. T-Mobile and Sprint might even raise prices now that they don't have to try to poach customers off each other. The industry is also moving toward faster, 5G service; T-Mobile and Sprint believe they can build a better 5G network as one. 5G is the next-generation mobile networks that wireless companies are banking on to replace current 4G services. T-Mobile and Sprint say the deal is important for the U.S. to keep its lead in telecom, as it would allow the companies to build 5G much more quickly.

Source: ABC News April 30, 2018 20:15 UTC