Washington (CNN Business) A highly anticipated verdict by the Justice Department on T-Mobile's proposed $26 billion merger with Sprint is taking longer than anticipated to resolve, according to a person familiar with the matter. The decision isn't now expected until toward the end of next week, this person said. The timing reflects the complex negotiations between the companies and DOJ, which is pushing for T-Mobile and Sprint to spin off enough assets to reduce the government's antitrust concerns surrounding the potentially landmark telecom mergerIt also undercuts a widespread belief that an agreement between the Justice Department and the companies is "imminent," as Sprint attorney Steven Sunshine said in Manhattan federal court on Friday morning. Sprint and T-Mobile are facing a multi-state challenge to block the deal, filed preemptively earlier this month. "We are challenging this merger to protect a service that matters to everyone," said Massachusetts attorney general Maura Healey in a statement.

Source: CNN June 21, 2019 12:05 UTC