As rumors heat up that Sprint is poised to make a public bid for T-Mobile, analysts and others are beginning to look at what the two carriers would look like if they merged.
While there are still significant obstacles to such a deal--regulators have signaled their opposition to the transaction, which could kill the deal outright or at least lead to significant asset divestments--it's nonetheless worth looking at what kind of network and financial situation a combined Sprint and T-Mobile would command.
Below is a snapshot of the network of a combined Sprint and T-Mobile, as well as a customer and financial comparison of a combined Sprint and T-Mobile against market leaders Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility.
Sprint and T-Mobile's aggregate spectrum holdings:
Source: Mosaik. Click here for a larger version of this image.
Sprint and T-Mobile's network coverage overlap:
Source: Mosaik. Click here for a larger version of this image.
Sprint and T-Mobile's subscriber base:
Source: Strategy Analytics
Sprint and T-Mobile's EBITDA margin:
Source: Strategy Analytics
Sprint and T-Mobile's service revenue:
Source: Strategy Analytics
Sprint and T-Mobile's smartphone share of postpaid subscribers:
Source: Strategy Analytics
Finaly, BTIG analyst Walter Piecyk offered a look at where Sprint and T-Mobile stand today in terms of 2013 wireless EBITDA:
Source: Piecyk