AT&T Acquires T-Mobile but No iPhone Yet

AT&T has agreed to acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately $39 billion.

AT&T operates the largest wireless network in the US, with about 95.5 million subscribers, while T-Mobile runs the fourth largest, with 23 million subscribers. Both networks are based on the same GSM technology used in most major markets across the rest of the world, and the merger would leave the US with only one GSM provider.

The merger still needs US regulatory approval. The closing of the transaction is expected to be completed in first half of 2012.

One of the questions on lots of people have, especially T-Mobile customers, is whether the deal means T-Mobile will finally get the iPhone.

The answer is yes, if the deal goes through but that is expected to take about a year. Here is T-Mobile’s response about the iPhone and the buyout from a Q&A on their website.

Is T-Mobile USA getting the iPhone?

T-Mobile USA remains an independent company. The acquisition is expected to be completed in approximately 12 months. We do not offer the iPhone. We offer cutting edge devices like the Samsung Galaxy S 4G and coming soon our new Sidekick 4G.

Originally posted 2011-03-20 23:18:36.