The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation is squarely behind the proposed T-Mobile-Sprint merger, calling it long overdue.
Related: T-Mobile, Sprint to Combine in $146B All-Stock Deal
"In an industry as capital intensive as mobile broadband, scale is the name of the game," said ITIF director of broadband and spectrum policy Doug Brake. "The opportunity to have three healthy, roughly equal-sized competitors fighting it out to deploy 5G should be a welcomed development for the U.S. economy.
"A combined firm means not only a more efficient build-out of next-generation networks, but a more dynamic future for the converging broadband, media, and video ecosystem," Brake added.
Related: Computer Companies Seek Thorough Review of Sprint-T-Mobile
The likely key to whether the FCC or Justice Department agree with that assessment is whether the combination of the number three and four wireless carriers is seen as reducing competition, or creating a stronger competitor to former Bells Verizon and AT&T.
Related: DC Eyes Meld of Sprint-T-Mobile
Sprint and T-Mobile were certainly pitching that argument in announcing the $146 billion merger proposal, suggesting they would retain T-Mobile's "uncarrier" status, just on a larger scale and with an eye toward helping the U.S. be a leader in 5G, which is an expressed priority for the Trump Administration.
