For T-Mobile and Sprint, selling Boost Mobile could be a concession as the two look to receive regulatory approval and complete their proposed $26 billion merger. Offloading Boost Mobile would allow the two to reduce their market share in the prepaid wireless business, potentially easing antitrust concerns.
A report yesterday claimed that top Department of Justice officials want T-Mobile and Sprint to create a new carrier as part of the merger. A merger between Sprint and T-Mobile would reduce the number of large carriers in the United States from four to three, but antitrust officials view requiring the creation of a fourth carrier as a way to preserve competition.
The carriers are also considering divesting wireless spectrum, or airwaves that carry data, in order to push the merger through.
