There are fewer American operators: T-Mobile completes acquisition of UScellular

T-Mobile has officially announced the completion of the acquisition of UScellular's wireless business. The company received subscribers, stores and 30% of the competitor's radio frequency spectrum. T-Mobile will gradually transfer UScellular customers to its network and services, but promises a smooth migration. The purchase cost T-Mobile $4.3 billion.

UScellular was the fifth largest US mobile operator. The company was founded in 1983. As of May 2025, the operator's subscriber base was estimated at 4.4 million in 21 states. In 2020, UScellular launched a 5G network, and in 2023 it switched off 2G and 3G. In May 2024, it announced the sale of T-Mobile.

ATT is the third largest mobile operator in the United States. Before that, it had already taken over MetroPCS and Sprint in 2013 and 2020.

Big business tends to further expand and acquire competitors. Smaller companies find it harder to compete and often choose to sell their business at a profit.