MetroPCS unopposed to a combined AT&T, T-Mobile

While Sprint is decrying AT&T’s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile, claiming it will marginalize all other operators apart from AT&T and Verizon Wireless, the country’s largest Tier II operator doesn't have a problem with it.

According to MetroPCS chief operating officer Tom Keys, “too big” is a relative term when you’re operator of 8 million customers staring down giants. From Metro’s perspective, the leading operator having 100 million customers versus having 80 million customers makes little difference, Keys said. In fact, Keys sees the acquisition giving Metro a competitive advantage. It not only would knock one of the Big 4 operators out of the business, but it would also remove the one nationwide operator with the most similar market focus to Metro’s, Keys said. T-Mobile has always targeted the lower-end of the postpaid market and the prepaid markets -- Metro’s sweet spot. If T-Mobile were swallowed up by AT&T, that could leave 34 million abandoned customers, many of whom are ripe for Metro’s plucking.