http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/10/softbank-photo.jpg While recent rumors suggested Sprint could be interested in snatching up Metro PCS, it may actually be the target of an acquisition.The Nikkei, Reuters and* Wall Street Journal* report it is in final talks with Japanese carrier Softbank. Just over a week ago Softbank snapped up rival eAccess in a billion dollar deal that added 50 percent more base stations to its LTE network and will move it from third to second largest in the country when it is completed. It got to third place with a leveraged buyout of Vodafone’s Japanese arm back in 2006, and CEO Masayoshi Son mentioned last week that he has his eye on the number one spot. We’re not exactly sure how a buyout of the third place American carrier fits into its plans, but we’re betting Softbank’s CFO is just trying to keep Son away from any juicy looking eBay “Buy It Now” auctions.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sprint
Japan’s Softbank in ‘advanced talks’ to acquire Sprint for $12 billion originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 07:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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