The US wireless carrier market is still consolidating. The acquisition of UScellular by T-Mobile for $4.4 billion in cash and assumed debt was announced today. The two companies have stated that the magenta carrier is effectively purchasing "substantially all of UScellular's wireless operations".
UScellular customers will benefit from a "superior connectivity experience" and complete access to T-Mobile's "largest and fastest 5G network" in the nation following the acquisition's closing in mid-2025. This will eliminate the need for roaming when travelling outside of the UScellular coverage area.
According to TMo, UScellular customers will also be able to "fully participate" in the Un-carrier's "industry-leading value-packed plans filled with benefits and perks".
Customers of T-Mobile, however, will have access to UScellular's network in places where coverage was previously patchy. Additionally, they will gain from improved performance across UScellular's service area as a result of TMo's network incorporating the acquired spectrum.
The magenta carrier couldn't resist joining the irony bandwagon and asserting that the merger will somehow provide Americans with "enhanced choice and competition" despite reducing the number of carriers available to them.
Customers of UScellular will have the choice to continue with their present plans or switch at no additional cost to any unlimited T-Mobile plan of their choosing.
T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert stated:
"With this deal T-Mobile can extend the superior Un-carrier value and experiences that we’re famous for to millions of UScellular customers and deliver them lower-priced, value-packed plans and better connectivity on our best-in-class nationwide 5G network. As customers from both companies will get more coverage and more capacity from our combined footprint, our competitors will be forced to keep up – and even more consumers will benefit. The Un-carrier is all about shaking up wireless for the good of consumers and this deal is another way for us to continue doing even more of that".
The CEO of UScellular, Laurent Therivel, stated:
"T-Mobile’s purchase and integration of UScellular’s wireless operations will provide best-in-class connectivity to rural Americans through enhanced nationwide coverage and service offerings at more compelling price points. The transaction provides our customers access to better coverage and speeds, as well as unlimited texting in more than 215 countries, content offers, device upgrades and other T-Mobile benefits".
