FCC approves T-Mobile USA/SunCom deal: Companies expect $2.4B deal to close by end of month

The Federal Communications Commission approved T-Mobile USA Inc.’s $2.4 billion purchase of SunCom Wireless Holdings Inc., enabling the No. 4 national cellular carrier to bolster coverage in the Southeast and the Caribbean.
SunCom, of Berwyn, Pa., has a presence in the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The regional operator was formerly an affiliate of AT&T Wireless Services Inc. before the nationwide operator was acquired by Cingular Wireless L.L.C.
“Combining the strength of T-Mobile’s national network, top-ranked customer service and rich personal communications products and services is an added benefit to the more than one million customers served by SunCom,” said Robert Dotson, president and CEO of T-Mobile USA. “We very much appreciate the FCC’s speedy approval of this transaction.”
T-Mobile USA, based in Bellevue, Wash., and an unit of German-based telecom giant Deutsche Telecom AG, previously said it expects synergies of about $1 billion due to reduced roaming costs and operating expenses. T-Mobile USA, which serves 27 million subscribers, and SunCom said they expect the deal to close by the end of this month.
“We appreciate the commissioners’ time and thoughtful review of the proposed merger and are extremely pleased with their decision to approve the license transfers,” said Mike Kalogris, chairman and CEO of SunCom.