T-Mobile US born as T-Mo and MetroPCS merge

The T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS merger is final, with the new T-Mobile US combo-brand set to hit the New York Stock Exchange today. The combined carriers amass a total of 43m subscribers, with 200m potential customers set to be covered by LTE service before the year is through. By bringing together the individual spectrum holdings, however, T Mobile US says it's in an even better position for its 4G roll-out in 2014 and beyond.

However, it's the potential for industry-disrupting price plans and off-contract service that CEO John Leger believes will really help the carrier stand apart. "Together, as America's Un-carrier, we'll continue our legacy of marketplace innovation by tearing up the old playbook and rewriting the rules of wireless to benefit consumers" he said today.

The deal is expected to also save both carriers money, with a potential saving of $6-7bn; there's also the potential for pushing the MetroPCS brand into more areas, taking advantage of T-Mobile's spectrum. MetroPCS' shareholders approved the deal late last month.

While T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS may now be living happily under the same roof, for subscribers there won't be much in the way of difference based on what they see on their phone screen, at least. The two brands will be operated separately, though eventually shift to a common network infrastructure, and sharing support.