The proposed all-stock deal values Sprint at about $59 billion US and the combined company at $146 billion US, including debt. It comes after Sprint dropped its bid for T-Mobile more than three years ago following concerns by the Obama administration about wireless competition. "T-Mobile does not need a merger with Sprint to succeed, but Sprint might need one to survive," Piecyk wrote in a research note. Comcast, the cable giant that finished buying NBCUniversal in 2013, offers customers wireless service by reselling access to Verizon's network. To lure wireless customers, AT&T offers discounts on DirecTV and could soon do so with HBO.

Source: CBC News April 29, 2018 17:03 UTC