Now, this could get very interesting. Reuters reports today that SoftBank, which is looking to buy Sprint for $20.1 billion, may turn its attention toward Bellevue-based T-Mobile if the Sprint deal collapses.
T-Mobile, which has 34 million customers, is the fourth largest wireless carrier in the U.S. and just completed its own merger with Metro PCS. T-Mobile has a market value of $15 billion, and its share jumped three percent in trading today. The company has been trying to shake up the mobile industry through its so-called “Uncarrier” payment plan
Reuters cites three sources who were familiar with the talks going on between SoftBank and Deutsche Telekom, the parent company of T-Mobile with a 74 percent stake. According to Reuters, the T-Mobile option remains “plan B” as the Japanese company prefers to do a deal with Sprint, the No. 3 carrier in the U.S.
Dish also is attempting to buy Sprint for $25.5 billion
Sprint, which is in its own bidding war for Clearwire, is expected to vote on the merger with SoftBank on June 12.
Previously on GeekWire: T-Mobile sold 500,000 iPhones in Q1, but revenues fall 7%
