T-Mobile US has officially completed its acquisition of US Cellular’s wireless operations, marking a major consolidation in the U.S. telecom industry. The deal, originally announced in May 2024, was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and cleared all necessary regulatory hurdles before closing on August 1, 2025.
Under the terms of the deal, T-Mobile paid approximately $4.3 billion–$4.4 billion cash and assumed debt to take over UScellular’s wireless business, including its customer base, contracts, retail stores, and about 30 % of its wireless spectrum holdings.
Who Was Acquired
T-Mobile acquired the wireless operations and select spectrum assets of US Cellular, which included roughly 4 million+ customers across multiple U.S. states, and extended T-Mobile’s customer reach and network footprint.
The remaining parts of US Cellular including around 4,400 towers and a large portion of its spectrum not included in the sale were retained by the original company, which has been renamed Array Digital Infrastructure. T-Mobile also entered into long-term lease agreements to continue using many of those towers.
Regulatory Approvals
The acquisition received approval from key U.S. regulators:
- The U.S. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave the green light in mid-July 2025.
- There were no antitrust injunctions or legal blocks from the U.S. Department of Justice.
With regulators satisfied that the deal met conditions, T-Mobile was able to finalize the purchase and begin integrating US Cellular’s operations.
What Changes & What Doesn’t
For US Cellular Customers:
- Existing customers were welcomed into the T-Mobile network “family” following the closing, with the promise of access to T-Mobile’s broader 5G coverage, plans, and perks.
- Customers can remain on their existing plans temporarily, as network migration and plan migration options are introduced gradually.
Network Infrastructure:
- US Cellular’s former network infrastructure and spectrum assets are being integrated under T-Mobile’s operational umbrella. Many former US Cellular towers and network assets are being leased or incorporated into T-Mobile’s nationwide network to expand coverage, especially in rural and underserved areas.
- US Cellular’s legacy brand continues in a limited capacity while the wireless business itself has been divested. The remaining company has rebranded and now focuses on infrastructure rather than direct service.
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