Sprint-Softbank Talks Said to Include Clearwire, Formerly Included T-Mobile

Another thing that David Faber said was that the deal originally was considered a three-way deal that included Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile USA, but ultimately that deal fell apart because T-Mobile was too worried about antitrust measures coming into play. After the deal with AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) was blocked by regulators, it is easy enough to understand why the Germans had some reservation about trying to proceed.

Clearwire shares are now up 30% at $1.69 in active premarket trading. Again, the terms of a deal are still outstanding, so there is no way to know exactly what sort of premium would be there for a 75% or so stake of Sprint Nextel. There is also no way to know if the Clearwire deal is truly a part of it as a real takeover or whether it is just an expanded pact.

JON C. OGG