T-mobile’s $26 Billion Deal for Sprint Gets Big Boost After FCC Chief Gets Behind It

FILE—This April 30, 2018, file photo shows signage a T-Mobile store in N.Y. The top executives of T-Mobile and Sprint are making the case to Congress that their proposed $26.5 billion merger wouldn't hurt competition and jack up the prices consumers pay for wireless service. Bebeto Matthews/AP

WASHINGTON—T-Mobile’s US Inc.’s $26 billion acquisition of rival Sprint Corp. won the support of the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on May 20, in a big step toward the deal’s approval.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, a Republican, came out in favor of the combination after the companies offered several concessions, including selling Sprint’s Boost Mobile prepaid cell service.