Sprint/T-Mobile Takeover Approved

The marriage between T-Mobile and Sprint is one step closer to being consummated. U.S. regulators have approved the $26.5 billion takeover of Sprint by its larger rival, T-Mobile. The approval came from the Justice Department and five state attorneys general on Friday. It came after the two companies agreed to conditions that would set up a satellite-TV provider Dish as a smaller rival to Verizon, AT&T and the new combined T-Mobile-Sprint company. But the AG’s from other states and other public interest advocates say that condition doesn’t address concerns that the merger will hurt competition in the cellular industry as well as higher prices, job losses and fewer choices for consumers. A federal judge still must sign off on the approval.