T-Mobile, Sprint Say Proposed Boost Spinoff Won't Affect California LifeLine Pilot
Fresh T-Mobile/Sprint commitments to the FCC underscore promises made in California and give “further assurance” that T-Mobile will “build a world-leading 5G network,” rural residents will get 5G, and in-home broadband competition will increase, said the companies' motion at the…
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California Public Utilities Commission in docket A.18-07-011. Divesting Boost Mobile won’t affect a LifeLine pilot recently OK’d by the California agency (see 1904250028), the carrier said. “T-Mobile reaffirms its strong support for that program and its willingness to work with the Commission staff to determine how to best support the pilot, including but not limited to having one of New T-Mobile’s brands (e.g. MetroPCS) assume Boost’s responsibilities under the pilot.” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai supported the deal, but the CPUC’s decision could be delayed into late summer or longer if the state agency decides changes to the application like Boost divestiture require additional review (see 1905200051). Also Monday, the carriers urged the CPUC to deny consumer groups's motion to strike material based on the carriers' memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF). "To insist that the Commission disregard T-Mobile’s commitments in the CETF MOU as it reviews the merger is to ignore a host of promises that will only have a positive impact on the State," the carriers said.