Justice Department skeptical about merger between T-Mobile and Sprint

Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son and Sprint CEO Dan Hesse met with the U.S. Justice Department earlier this month to discuss a possible merger between Softbank-owned Sprint and T-Mobile, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. However, the Justice Department officials were skeptical about a possible merger between America’s third- and fourth-largest wireless carriers.

Sprint Corp.board members Masayoshi Son and Dan Hesse met recently with Justice Department officials who said they would view a Sprint acquisition of wireless rival T-Mobile US Inc. with skepticism, people briefed on the conversation said. The conversation, which occurred in January, shows the seriousness of Mr. Son’s interest in a deal, and his highest hurdle. U.S. antitrust authorities regard the current lineup of four national mobile-phone carriers as important to maintaining a competitive market, and department officials indicated at the meeting that a deal combining Sprint and T-Mobile could face regulatory difficulties, the people said.