Some facts and researched opinions. I’ve tried to be neutral but I have a pro-consumer bias. I’ve editorialized strongly against the deal.
Below: On the effects of 4-3; On whether 5G will come faster; “Combining is the only way they can fight back against the two industry leaders;” On whether Sprint could survive without the merger; On whether Sprint could survive without the merger; On whether the T-Mobile 5G is a “seismic shift;” 5G is not 5G: Much will not be the truly high speeds of millimeter wave; Is even the real 5G, millimeter wave, revolutionary?; “5G offers more reliability than 4G or LTE”; Is 5g required for autonomous cars?’ Is 5G needed for telemedicine or IoT?
On the effects of 4-3 Tmo says prices will come down because of the deal. The best research is from Pal Zarandy at Rewheel, who just did a major study. He found prices were 40%-50% higher in Germany and Austria (4-3) than six others, including France. Gigabyte price development in 4 to 3 consolidated versus 4-MNO European markets – September 2013 to March 2018. Because France has so dramatically cut prices, my figure would be lower, “10%-20%, sometimes more.” Canada & France went from 3 to 4 with large price drops, which are now happening in Italy. Dubious. Wireless prices will go down because the cost per bit is decreasing rapidly. They will probably be higher than without the deal.