Sprint/SoftBank asks FCC to go ahead with deal review

Sprint Nextel and SoftBank asked the Federal Communications Commission to go ahead with a review of their proposed $20.1 billion deal after Sprint's rival suitor, Dish Network, asked for a suspension of the review.

Sprint told the FCC it was opposed to Dish's request to delay the review of the SoftBank agreement announced in October 2012. "The Commission must not be distracted by Dish's latest maneuverings," Sprint said. Sprint said the FCC review would "in no way limit Dish's ability to make competing bids for Sprint, nor does it prejudice in any way Dish's ability to challenge SoftBank's valuation of Sprint." Sprint said the FCC, which typically takes about 180 days to review deals, was already 140 days into its review.