What T-Mobile's merger with MetroPCS means to you (FAQ)

T-Mobile USA is remodeling 400 retail stores to create a better experience for wireless consumers.

(Credit: T-Mobile USA )

Deutsche Telekom is doubling down on its U.S. wireless subsidiary T-Mobile USA with a plan to buy the prepaid regional carrier MetroPCS. But what's it mean for wireless subscribers?

Yesterday, Deutsche Telekom announced it had agree to buy MetroPCS and combine it with T-Mobile USA. The move is an indication that T-Mobile's German parent isn't giving up on the wireless carrier, which spent most of last year in a holding pattern while regulators considered AT&T's $39 billion bid to buy the company. Regulators didn't like the idea of the No. 2 AT&T buying a distance No. 4 T-Mobile, and they blocked the transaction. AT&T ended up giving up on the merger in December.

As part of its break-up deal with AT&T, T-Mobile received cash and some much needed spectrum from AT&T, which the carrier is now putting to use in a massive network transition to build a 4G LTE network. And now Deutsche Telekom is on the hunt for more wireless spectrum to help T-Mobile compete against its rivals. The deal with MetroPCS is meant to give T-Mobile more of this valuable asset.

But what does this deal mean for average T-Mobile and MetroPCS subscribers? And what... [Read more]