Cell phones forum: Will T-Mobile Merge With Sprint?

I think it would be a poor choice w/ the incompatible networks. Part (not all) of Sprint's problems are related to their purchase of Nextel (iDen) network that is not compatible w/ the the Sprint (CDMA) network. While Sprint did (and still does) sell dual mode devices, most consumers w/ Nextel kept their plans active on the iDen network. I am not suggesting that a T-mobile/Sprint merger will never happen, I just think it would be a mistake if it did happen.

If Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile) acquired Sprint, it would be for the PCS spectrum. Yes, it would be expensive to convert the network over to GSM/UMTS, but I believe that would be any reason for Sprint to merge with T-Mobile. The Nextel network would most likely be sold off, as I don't believe the SMR band could be used for GSM. I could be wrong, but the SMR band is in a different part of the 800 band. Even if it could, T-Mobile would need to have new phones made for the SMR band, like they're already doing having 3G phones in the AWS band. That's why I don't see them keeping Nextel. As for Sprint's network; T-Mobile would have plenty of capacity, and could actually have the same 3G phones as AT&T.

Whether that happens or not is unknown. This rumor will continue for quite sometime, just like Verizon or AT&T buying out USCC.