Bloomberg quoted people familiar with the matter as saying that communications companies Sprint and T-Mobile may delay the announcement of their full equity merger until a few weeks after they release their quarterly results. T-Mobile and Sprint will report results on Oct. 23 and 24, respectively.
The two companies have been trying to finalize the matter before the results are released, and it seems unlikely to end the matter by October, because it is currently in the wireless operator's earnings cycle, so the matter did not speak on the condition of anonymity, the person familiar with the matter said.
As a result, the announcement of the merger is expected to be postponed to mid-November or later. But if they postpone the announcement of the results, maybe it will be announced as planned.
The merger has been controversial and needs more time for US regulators to consider.
Sprint and T-Mobile declined to comment, and Softbank Corp., Sprint's holding company, did not respond to questions.
At & T wanted to buy T-Mobile in 2011, but abandoned it because of opposition from US regulators, citing the need for more participants in the market.
The merger of Sprint and T-Mobile will also rewrite the status quo of the US communications industry, from a "Big four" to a "tripod" situation.
As early as 2014, there were media reports that Softbank Corp. President Masayoshi son wanted to merge Sprint and T-Mobile, hoping to realize his desire to become a global industry leader.
Sprint shares have risen more than 90% since 2016, while at & T is up about 17%.(compiled / Wu Dongxia)
More related news:
October 17-Us operators T-Mobile and Sprint may announce merger
September 22-T-Mobile and Sprint are said to be close to reaching agreement on the terms of the merger