MetroPCS and Leap Wireless International, the parent company responsible for the Cricket brand of regional flat-rate wireless services, have signed a long-term roaming agreement which covers both existing and future markets between both carriers with the option of further extension should the agreement prove amenable for both entities.
In related news, both companies have also decided to settle all outstanding litigation stemming from last year’s attempted hostile takeover initiated by MetroPCS, as well as engage in a spectrum exchange with MetroPCS gaining an additional 10 MHz worth of spectrum in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla., Shreveport-Bossier City, La., and various additional Texas markets, while Leap has obtained the same 10 Mhz spectrum for markets in Fresno and San Diego California, as well as Seattle and other markets in the Northwest, with the spectrum exchange needing FCC approval before the transaction can be finalized.
If these companies decided to merge (which RCR speculated they may) I think that would actually be a great decision for both companies.
I wouldn’t be so sure about a merger in this climate, especially since they just settled all the pending lawsuits pertaining to the hostile takeover by MetroPCS.
I’m not saying it won’t happen, but RCR likes to pull the trigger too quickly on speculation.