{"id":21030,"date":"2019-11-05T16:44:27","date_gmt":"2019-11-06T00:44:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/associatednews.info\/content\/fcc-clears-t-mobile-sprint-merger-deal\/"},"modified":"2019-11-05T16:44:27","modified_gmt":"2019-11-06T00:44:27","slug":"fcc-clears-t-mobile-sprint-merger-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/associatednews.info\/content\/fcc-clears-t-mobile-sprint-merger-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"FCC Clears T-Mobile\/Sprint Merger Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Richard Gonzales<\/a><\/span> <\/p>\n

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\n Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure (left) and T-Mobile CEO John Legere on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on April 30, 2018.<\/p>\n

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Richard Drew\/AP<\/p>\n

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Richard Drew\/AP<\/p>\n

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The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday released its Oct. 16 order allowing T-Mobile to merge with Sprint in a $26.5 billion deal. The commissioners approved the deal last month on a closed-door, 3-2 party-line vote.<\/p>\n

The merger was praised by Republican commissioners as a boon for rural America and by Democratic commissioners as a disaster for consumers. The merger still faces a legal challenge<\/a> by a coalition of state attorneys general.<\/p>\n

“The Commission found that the transaction will help close the digital divide and advance United States leadership in 5G, the next generation of wireless connectivity,” the FCC said in a statement<\/a>. “Specifically, T-Mobile and Sprint have committed within three years to deploy 5G service to cover 97% of the American people, and within six years to reach 99% of all Americans. This commitment includes deploying 5G service to cover 85% of rural Americans within three years and 90% of rural Americans within six years.<\/p>\n