T-Mobile has announced plans to acquire a significant portion of UScellular, in a deal valued at $4.4 billion. This acquisition will include UScellular's stores, a portion of its spectrum assets, and its customer base.
The acquisition will enable T-Mobile to gain about 30% of UScellular’s wireless spectrum. This additional spectrum is expected to enhance T-Mobile’s coverage in rural areas and improve connectivity for UScellular’s existing customers.
UScellular will maintain ownership of 70% of its wireless spectrum and tower assets. The company will lease space on at least 2,100 more towers to T-Mobile. T-Mobile will also sign new long-term leases on at least 2,015 UScellular-owned towers and extend leases on approximately 600 more.
What this deal means for UScellular customers
Current UScellular customers have some time to consider the impact this deal will have on them as it isn't expected to be completed until mid-2025.
Once the acquisition is finalized, T-Mobile will give UScellular customers the option to stick with their current plan or switch to a T-Mobile plan.
With the purchase including some of UScellular's spectrum as well as long-term leases on UScellular towers, customers shouldn't expect a negative change in coverage. Plus, UScellular customers will have access to T-Mobile's nationwide network which is much more robust than UScellular could ever offer.
Make the transition now with Mint Mobile
If you don't want to wait until the middle of 2025 to make the move to T-Mobile, now is as good a time as any. You can switch to Mint Mobile and one of its low-cost plans while getting to take advantage of the full T-Mobile network. We like Mint's Unlimited Plan which starts at just $30/month for the first three months (Mint often holds deals that start it as low as $15/month for the first three months).
Learn about T-Mobile's $4.4 billion acquisition of UScellular's assets, what it means for current customers, and how it will improve rural coverage and connectivity for all.
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What this deal means for everybody else
This acquisition is largely T-Mobile's play at expanding its rural coverage, which has been known to lag behind AT&T and Verizon. The deal will provide a strong option for people living in rural areas and those who travel frequently to them. It also expands coverage for those already with T-Mobile.
At the same time, the deal is putting yet another carrier under the T-Mobile umbrella. T-Mobile swallowed up Sprint in a merger years ago and just recently completed the purchase of Mint Mobile.
Angelo Ilumba
Senior Writer
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