T-Mobile USA’s chief technology officer is defending the technical underpinnings of the company’s proposed combination with MetroPCS, suggesting that T-Mobile would be in a better position than rival Sprint Nextel to absorb the smaller wireless carrier’s spectrum and customers.
The comments to analysts follow reports that Sprint is contemplating a rival bid for MetroPCS, potentially setting up a bidding war for MetroPCS vs. T-Mobile USA parent company Deutsche Telekom. Sprint hasn’t yet formally announced any plans to bid.
Speaking with analysts, Ray pointed out that T-Mobile and MetroPCS use the same wireless spectrum, which will allow the Bellevue-based company to repurpose MetroPCS’s spectrum as it moves customers off MetroPCS’s network. He pointed to Sprint’s troubled Nextel combination as a potential warning sign for any Sprint-MetroPCS deal.
“Track record is important in these things,” Ray said, according a report in the Kansas City Star. “That’s an interesting story I’d love to hear them tell.”
T-Mobile USA, which was the subject of a failed acquisition bid by AT&T last year, announced plans for the MetroPCS acquisition last week.
