T-Mobile chief issues non-denial on Sprint buyout rumor
updated 04:35 pm EDT, Mon March 14, 2011
T-Mobile writes ambigious letter about Sprint buy
T-Mobile CEO Phillip Humm has written a letter that comments on the recent rumor of the carrier buying out competitor Sprint. Posted online by TMoNews, the letter doesn't contain an outright denial of such a deal, but goes on to say how T-Mobile's parent Deutsche Telekom will look to any option to maximize its profits. Talking to Sprint could still qualify as one such option.
Deutsche Telekom "will always explore options for maximizing the value of its portfolio and profits," Humm wrote.
The statement's real meaning isn't as evident. It may indicate that the two are having trouble coming to an agreement, which is in line with a previous rumor that maintained the companies couldn't yet meet on a value for T-Mobile USA, the fourth-largest US carrier.
If true, the two would be consolidating to mount fiercer competition against AT&T and Verizon, both of whom have been steadily taking customers away. The larger two firms usually have access to the best phones and the widest coverage.
