The Federal Communications Commission is pausing its review of the proposed $26.5 billion merger between T-Mobile and Sprint to review new information from the companies, according to a public letter posted on Tuesday.
The FCC had sought to complete its review within a 180-day window, but said the delay is needed after the telecommunications firms submitted updated network engineering models and additional background on its planned network build-out on Sept. 5. T-Mobile is also submitting new economic modeling, the agency said.
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“The commission has a strong interest in ensuring a full and complete record upon which to base its decision in this proceeding. Considering the complexity and potential importance of these newly-provided and expected models, it is appropriate to stop the informal 180-day clock to allow time for their review,” the letter says.
T-Mobile and Sprint — the third- and fourth-largest carriers in the U.S., respectively — said the request is a common one.
‘We recently supplied a large amount of data to the FCC that they want sufficient time to assess,” the companies said in a statement. “We are confident that this transaction is pro-competitive, good for the country and good for American consumers, and we look forward to continuing to work with the FCC as they evaluate our plans.”
The firms have argued that a merger would allow them to better compete against larger rivals Verizon Wireless and AT&T. Executives also say the combined entity will be better equipped to capitalize on emerging fifth-generation wireless technology.
Earlier on Tuesday, Stockholm-based Ericsson announced a $3.5 billion partnership with T-Mobile to help the company deploy a 5G network it aims to launch in 30 cities in 2018.
