Andre Yoskowitz
22 Oct 2011 22:10
MetroPCS, the fifth largest carrier in the U.S., has turned into the front runner for AT&T, T-Mobile assets including spectrum and subscribers.
The companies are forced to sell the assets if they want the $39 billion merger to go through.
People familiar with the deal say MetroPCS' deal would be under $3 billion and is still being negotiated.
AT&T is said to have approached MetroPCS, Dish Network, Leap Wireless and others to sell off the assets. Metro has the strongest balance sheet, and the largest cash hoard.
MetroPCS has 9.1 million subscribers, compared to 91 million for AT&T and 34 million for T-Mobile. The spectrum would help them cut capital costs and expand.