WASHINGTON-Skyworld Communications Inc., a minority-owned wireless dealer in Chicago, is bringing a $23 million lawsuit against T-Mobile USA Inc. for breach of contract and violation of the Illinois Franchise Act. The dealer also has filed a civil rights complaint with Justice Department against the Bellevue, Wash., mobile-phone carrier.
The dealer suit, which could be filed in federal bankruptcy court in Chicago later today, is believed to be the largest ever lodged against a wireless carrier and could complicate merger talks between T-Mobile other mobile phone operators in the slumping industry sector.
T-Mobile, owned by Germany’s Deutsche Telekom AG, said it gave Skyworld every opportunity to succeed and will forcefully defend itself against the allegations.
