Boston, MA 08/21/2014 (wallstreetpr) – T-Mobile US Inc (NYSE:TMUS), the No. 4 U.S. largest carrier whose owners want to sell at the best price, has been on the news mostly for the reason that several companies have shown interest in buying it. However, what started as a simple engagement with Sprint Corporation (NYSE:S) has now moved to the point where Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) are also mentioned in the same breath as T-Mobile.
Paring with the tech in wireless acquisition
In the latest development, it is turning out that the relatively unknown French telecom operator, Iliad, which recently showed up with $15 billion buyout offer for T-Mobile US Inc (NYSE:TMUS), has turned to the technology giants, Google and Microsoft, to back its bid. Armed with $15 billion, Iliad wants a bigger slice of T-Mobile that can be valued at 57%. Iliad’s offer suggests about $33 for a share of T-Mobile, which is a far cry from $40 a share that Sprint (NYSE:S) was ready to give with its nearly $32 billion bid. Sprint withdrew from the pursuit of T-Mobile fearing the regulatory challenges in combining the No. 3 and No. 4 operators in the U.S. market.
Analysts believe that Iliad is well-placed to lay hands on T-Mobile US Inc (NYSE:TMUS), except that its offer of $15 billion appears too little to accept. Nonetheless, the company could still improve its offer because owners of T-Mobile have shown interest in selling the business, and they are ready for talks with Iliad if it makes a reasonable offer.
A slice of wireless
In turning to Google and Microsoft to back its bid for T-Mobile US Inc (NYSE:TMUS), Iliad is not only making it easy for itself in buy T-Mobile, but also helping the technology companies have a hand in a business that could further their open Internet access agenda. Tech companies from Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) to Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) have been clamoring for a stake in the wireless segment so that they can easily expand their product access and offering.
