Will Sprint-T-Mobile combo hurt consumers?

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NEW YORK (AP) Developments on Monday, April 30, about the Sprint-T-Mobile deal (all times Eastern Daylight Time).

  • 11 a.m.

Consumer advocacy groups were worried T-Mobile’s bid for Sprint would likely lead to higher cellphone plans because there was less competition.

The watchdog group Common Cause said low-income consumers seeking more affordable services will be particularly hurt.

But Mark Lowenstein, a mobile-industry consultant, said the move shouldn’t be seen as a consolidation in the wireless industry. Rather, he said, it was a new industry structure, with wireless “competing in the larger broadband space.”

The deal announced would combine the nation’s third- and fourth-largest wireless companies and bulk them up to a similar size to Verizon and AT&T, the industry giants.

Shares of T-Mobile fell 4 percent to $61.87 in morning trading. Sprint shares fell 17 percent to $5.65.

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