House Dem: Sprint, T-Mobile rumored deal needs ‘critical look’

Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) called on the federal government to carefully examine a yet-to-be-proposed merger between Sprint and T-Mobile.

{mosads}“Congress must take a careful and critical look at this deal if and when it is announced and stand up for what’s best for American consumers and American jobs,” Green said, speaking on the floor of the House Friday.

Though the companies have not officially announced their plans to merge, officials from SoftBank — which purchased Sprint early last year — have begun publicly touting the benefits the company could bring to the American wireless market if it had a bigger presence.

Advocates for the merger say the two companies could better take on industry giants AT&T and Verizon if they combine. In an interview earlier this year, SoftBank President Masayoshi Son pledged to hold a “price war” against the big two if SoftBank merges with T-Mobile. 

Earlier this month, T-Mobile CEO John Legere declined to comment on the rumored merger talks but said he “sure as hell” could see exciting opportunities if the two companies were to merge.

On the other hand, critics say the wireless market should not be consolidated any further.

Speaking on the floor Friday, Green pointed to Sprint layoffs that have taken place since it was acquired by SoftBank.

The U.S. needs “a robust and competitive market in wireless communications which drives innovation, keeps costs low, and employs tens of thousands of Americans in good, stable jobs,” he said.