With the T-Mobile/Sprint merger trial continuing, the government has come out in support of the deal, even as documents have come to light indicating T-Mobile has also considered a Comcast merger.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a 400 page brief in support of the merger, according to Ars Technica.
“Both the Antitrust Division and the FCC have significant experience and expertise in analyzing these types of transactions and do so from a nationwide perspective,” the brief reads. “Thus, their conclusions that the merger as remedied is in the public interest deserve appropriate weight in this remedy inquiry by this honorable court.”
Meanwhile, The Verge is reporting that T-Mobile has also considered another merger. Board member Thorsten Langheim requested a report in 2015 to “give an overview of the company’s market position in advance of a workshop among senior members of leadership.”
The report also details a proposed subsequent merger with Comcast, with the goal being for the broadband company to purchase T-Mobile. Such a deal was expected to receive little regulatory opposition, as opposed to the Sprint merger, and provide significant benefits to both companies.
Should T-Mobile lose the merger trial, it will be interesting to see if the wireless company doubles down in its pursuit of a Comcast merger.
