California regulators approve the anti-competitive T-Mobile-Sprint merger with conditions

The California Public Utilities Commission voted to approve the anti-competitive and anti-worker merger between T-Mobile and Sprint with conditions, including a commitment to continue offering Lifeline in California, a requirement to add 1,000 jobs in California in three years, and to provide 300 Mbps download speeds to 93 percent of California's population by 2024. 

CWA and public interest organizations had warned that the merger will result in higher prices and the loss of 30,000 jobs nationwide. “While the conditions that the CPUC has imposed, including a commitment that the new T-Mobile hire at least 1,000 new employees at a planned customer experience center in Fresno county, are a step in the right direction, we are still very concerned about the job loss and wage reductions that are likely to result from the T-Mobile-Sprint merger,” said CWA in a statement. “Recent retail store closures, prior to the COVID-19 crisis, only increase our skepticism about T-Mobile’s promises on jobs. Regulators’ responsibility does not end with this approval. They must hold the new T-Mobile accountable for the promises that they have made to workers and consumers.”

Links:

CWA Statement on CPUC Approval of T-Mobile/Sprint Merger (Apr. 17, 2020)

T-Mobile deal gets final CPUC approval with conditions (FierceWireless, Apr. 16, 2020)