While remaining vague on details, T-Mobile (NYSE:TMUS) CEO John Legere said his wireless company is looking to partner with a cable operator.
"I've always said it's not a matter of if, but when. Now I'm going to add who," Legere said Tuesday, while delivering T-Mobile's first-quarter earnings report to investment analysts.
For a full look at T-Mobile's Q1 earnings report, visit this FierceWireless story.
Combining with a cable company could provide a competitive offset for T-Mobile as it positions itself against the larger AT&T (NYSE: T) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ), which Legere called "dumb and dumber" Wednesday. The Wi-Fi capacity of a cable provider could allow T-Mobile to improve indoor coverage and deliver faster data speeds at reduced prices.
Legere's comments, of course, drew special attention, coming just four days after Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA)--the cable company with the biggest Wi-Fi reach--walked away from its proposed takeover of Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC).
For his part, BTIG's Richard Greenfield has been among a number of media investment analysts suggesting a possible Comcast-T-Mobile merger.
"While we do not envision mobile broadband replacing wireline broadband anytime soon, given how much time consumers spend with their mobile devices, how can Comcast not have interest in being a large wireless provider?" Greenfield wrote. "Comcast could seek to acquire T-Mobile USA. ... If Masa Son is really disillusioned with Sprint (NYSE: S), Comcast could be an elegant way for Softbank to exit their investment."
For more:
- read this CNET story
- read this DSL Reports story
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