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Sprint and T-Mobile Merger Get DOJ Approval

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sprint and t-mobile merger

The Sprint and T-Mobile merger has reached a vital milestone. The Department of Justice (DOJ) approved the latest iteration of the agreement that also involves Dish Network becoming a potential wireless competitor. There are many unknowns and mixed reactions in the stock market and political arena.

Merger Details

The $26 billion deal will create the New T-Mobile, with hopes in increasing the 5G capabilities for the network with the combined investments of Sprint Corporation and T-Mobile US, Inc. Combining the third and fourth-largest national wireless providers gives the New T-Mobile a better chance of competing with the significantly larger Verizon and AT&T. Sprint will sell off its prepaid cellular brands, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile, and other assets to Dish Network Corporation for $5 billion.

The New T-Mobile agreement will have access to more assets, personnel, and towers. The increase in resources should enable the company to make strides toward reliable, affordable 5G service. Dish Networks plans to establish its own 5G network by 2023.

Mixed Reactions

T-Mobile (TMUS) stock reached its peak so far this year following the news of the DOJ approval. However, it reversed once news of the lawsuits and opposition spread. Sprint (S) stock also saw its highest value all year after the news broke and then turned. Dish Network (DISH) stock followed the same trajectory with a very steep decline. It lost almost 20% of its share value since the merger approval was released. Stock market analysts think the wireless market is too competitive and see this merger as a good thing. However, that only briefly boosted the share values.

Several government officials and presidential candidates disagree. Several states have filed lawsuits against this merger stating that reducing competition will hurt consumers. Some candidates have written letters describing the merger as a threat to 5G innovation.

The merger agreement freezes current pricing for three years to mitigate the risks to consumers in the short term. Additionally, there are no plans to move forward with the merger until the lawsuits are resolved. Some states have already settled their suits, but New York and California are continuing to challenge the merger.

Final Approval

This attempt isn’t the first time the Sprint and T-Mobile merger has received negative feedback. The two companies tried to propose mergers back in 2014 and in 2017. However, this is the first time that the alliance has the Federal Communication Commission‘s (FCC) blessing and DOJ approval. The FCC still has to approve the merger, although it has implied that it will. It is suspected that the FCC implication increased the odds of DOJ approval.

As of now, there are no changes to coverage, service, plans, or pricing. As the race to 5G heats up, we will have to wait and see how the New T-Mobile fares. Dish Network will have a few years to establish itself as a wireless competitor. However, it will have a steep learning curve. Also, there’s no way to determine how drastically prices will change after the three-year freeze. Although, if the merger doesn’t get approved, or the states win their lawsuits, then those concerns will be moot.

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Lack of Sleep Could Add Inches to Your Waistline

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It has been known for some time that the amount of sleep you get can impact your health, especially your mental health. Lack of sleep has been linked to anxiety and depression. The latest study about how sleep impacts the body showed that, in addition to other health issues, lack of sleep can cause weight gain.

The study was performed in the United Kingdom after researchers realized diabetes (something that often affects overweight and obese individuals) was killing 24,000 U.K. citizens each year. Four-hundred and fifteen million people suffer from the disease worldwide. But how are diabetes, being overweight and lack of sleep all related?

How Does Lack of Sleep Impact Weight?

Researchers took a look at 1,615 adults and their sleep patterns. The study showed that individuals who slept about six hours each night had a waist circumference three centimeters (1.18 inches) larger than subjects who slept approximately nine hours each night. Those who slept fewer hours also had higher body mass index (BMI) numbers.

To perform the study each study participant had a blood sample taken, waist measured and blood pressure recorded. According to Forbes, the sleep times fell into three separate categories: about six hours, average of 7.5 hours, approximately nine hours. Nothing the researchers found pointed to a link between lack of sleep and eating poorly. However, individuals who only slept an average of six hours per night had higher waist circumference and poor blood pressure results.

There were some factors that allowed for error in the study. Most of the information was self-recorded by the study’s participants. This means that the data collected on the amount of sleep each person got each night and their individual diet may not be completely accurate. There is enough evidence, however, to determine a link between lack of sleep and obesity, which is an important point.

Why? Well, the true reason why is still a topic of discussion among researchers. So far they’ve been able to deduce that lack of sleep can impact your self control, leading you to make poor food choices and ganging weight. Lack of sleep can also disrupt your hormones and make you more likely to crave those midnight snacks.

“Because we found that adults who reported sleeping less than their peers were more likely to be overweight or obese, our findings highlight the importance of getting enough sleep,” said Dr. Laura Hardie, senior investigator. “How much sleep we need differs between people, but the current consensus is that seven to nine hours is best for most adults.”

If you’re a short sleeper, don’t worry. There are a few things you can do to change your sleeping pattern and better your health. Try these:

  • Go to bed earlier.
  • Remove electronics from your bedroom. (Having televisions, phones, tablets, etc. in your room can impact the quality of sleep you are getting.)
  • Sleep with earplugs in. If you’re a light sleeper, earplugs can help you sleep more soundly.
  • Get a white noise machine. Have trouble going to sleep? A white noise machine helps many people nod off at the end of a long day.
  • Better monitor your diet. Keep a written log or log in your phone of what you eat and be more conscious about what you’re putting into your body.
  • When you can, correct your lack of sleep. Sleep in on the weekends if you can.

Taking initiative and being contentious about your sleeping patterns and health is the first step to avoiding obesity. By making small adjustments you can impact your health in a huge way!

Read the full study at PLOS. 

Photo: Health.com

Sugary Drinks Could Change The Way Your Body Burns Fat

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One in three Americans drink soda or some other form of sugary drink on a daily basis. Considering the rising number of cases of diabetes and obesity-related deaths in the country, that is alarming. To top that off, sugary drinks may be adding fuel to the weight gain of Americans.

That’s right. McDonald’s isn’t just helping you pack on the pounds with their food but adding on a sugary drink will help you keep the weight. A recent study showed that adding a sugary drink to a protein-rich meal (say, a Big Mac combo) can decrease your body’s ability to burn fat by 8 percent.

The ‘War’ on Sugar

It’s been no secret that you shouldn’t be taking in huge amounts of sugar on a daily basis. Although that seems like common sense, one-third of Americans are still drinking sugary drinks every day. Sugary drinks like soda and energy drinks have been linked to a rise in heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity for years. In fact, cities like New York have tried to wage war on sugar by placing higher tax on sugary drinks. Though there have been numerous studies as to why these drinks are so bad for you, the most recent study may provide a bit more of a reason as to why sugary drinks are doing so much harm.

How Sugary Drinks Impact Your Metabolism


The study, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, consisted of 27 participants. Each individual stayed in an isolated room. During their time in the room their levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature, and air pressure were all measured, making it possible for the study researchers to measure each person’s metabolism.

Each participant spent 24 hours in the room at a time. They’d be given breakfast and lunch with either a sugary drink or artificial sweetener. Those who had been given a sugary drink had a slower metabolic rate (by 8 percent). They were also more likely to crave salty snacks in the hours following the meal.

It’s All About Pairing (And Moderation)

What researchers would like to point out is that a lot of how sugary drinks (and anything else you put in your body) affects your health has a lot to do with the other things you are putting in your body as well. Researchers found that meals higher in protein paired with sugary drinks would decrease their ability to metabolize the food by 8 percent.

Meals with high protein (15 percent protein or more) paired with sugary drinks made noticeable changes in the subject’s metabolism. A meal with 15 percent protein partnered with a sugary drink would reduce fat oxidation by about 7.2 grams, according to Tech Times. This means every time you go through the drive thru at your favorite fast food and order a number five with a large Coke you’re slowly your body’s ability to burn fat down.

All in all, everything in life has to come with moderation. No one is saying you have to cut sugary drinks out of your life entirely but certainly don’t drink them every day and, if you do, don’t pair it with a big juicy burger. Be conscious about what you’re putting in your body so that you always get the best out! Also, check out these 10 healthy soda alternatives.

If you enjoyed this article you may enjoy chatting with members of the Saving Advice community in our forums. 

Photo: Nature World News

Personal Finance Weekend Reading

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weekend readingWeekend reading is a round-up of personal finance reading that has caught our eye that may be of interest to you:

Discussions From The Forums

These are threads started this past week within the forums which have created quite a bit of discussion:

Personal Finance Articles:

These are some of the personal finance and money related stories that caught our eye this week:

This Week’s Money Carnivals

Blog carnivals are always a great place to see the best writing from a large variety of blogs from around the blogosphere:

Image courtesy of phunkstarr