Iliad Sets the Pace for Sprint on T-Mobile

Iliad swooped in before Sprint formally placed its long-awaited offer for T-Mobile. The latter's stock shot up. But that likely reflects hope that Sprint would be spurred into action, rather than excitement about Iliad's bid itself.

Sprint is reportedly planning to offer $32 billion for T-Mobile; Iliad’s bid is just $15 billion. Granted, Iliad may have one advantage over Sprint: the ability to appeal to US regulators concerned with preserving four national wireless carriers. The government has been unusually vocal in expressing its skepticism over a prospective Sprint bid for T-Mobile. Then again, regulators might also balk at the prospect of a highly-levered T-Mobile investing adequately in its network. T-Mobile investors should hope Iliad's bonjour pushes Sprint to finally say hello.