That means they could potentially be adversaries in a government-run auction of 5G network airwaves, known as spectrum, that is scheduled to begin this fall. T-Mobile and Sprint contend that the market looks different than it did when they last tried to combine in 2014. The White House has declared 5G wireless a vital national priority. Investing in new 5G networks as separate companies would be difficult for T-Mobile and Sprint, given their current financial situations. “We can change the nature of the curve in the way the U.S. and others are investing in 5G,” Mr. Legere said in the interview.

Source: New York Times April 29, 2018 16:18 UTC