A Closer Look at the MergerThe ink on the deal is barely dry, but if AT&T's $39 billion deal to buy T-Mobile is approved, T-Mobile subscribers will have to replace their current 3G phones. That is, if they want to keep wireless broadband service. AT&T, the nation's second largest wireless carrier, announced on Sunday that it will buy T-Mobile, creating the nation's largest wireless network, and knocking Verizon from that spot. But the acquisition will need approval from regulators, and that could take at least a year to complete. So T-Mobile users shouldn't rush out to buy a new phone just yet.
