AT&T, Verizon Playing 5G Catch-Up Versus T-Mobile, Says New Street

AT&T and Verizon face a tough challenge from T-Mobile, New Street’s Jonathan Chaplin told investors: “We haven’t seen what they plan do with their newfound assets yet, but we will soon with the relaunch of T-Mobile’s brand and the arrival of the first 5G iPhone. I suspect they will make things uncomfortable.” Both can narrow T-Mobile’s advantage in spectrum through the C-band auction, he said. “They won’t be able to rein T-Mobile in entirely, the magenta cowboys will have at least a two-year head start, but the auction will determine whether it is two years, or forever.” T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said Monday the Sprint brand is no more: “Yesterday, we unified the T-Mobile and Sprint brands to operate under the T-Mobile flagship."