Deutsche Telekom T-Mobile & MetroPCS merger approved

The boards of Deutsche Telekom, owner of T-Mobile in the United States, and MetroPCS have both approved a deal that would merge the T-Mobile and MetroPCS into one carrier operating under the T-Mobile brand. Oh! Big news! The deal is in full spead and is expected to close in the first half of 2013.

T-Mobile is the  US fourth-largest operator and has 33.2 million subscribers. On the other hand, the regional carrier MetroPCS, former General Wireless,  is known for being the first one to roll out an LTE network in the States.

With the coming merger, the T-Mobile MetroPCS joint carrier will have  42.5 million subscribers. This may well ensure it a place much closer to the third position, now held by Sprint with its 56 million subscribers.