Telecom analyst says approval for Sprint/T-Mobile deal less likely [telecom]

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The odds that Sprint Corp and T-Mobile will win approval for their $26 billion merger has fallen to 33 percent from 50 percent because of the U.S. states- apparent willingness to fight the planned merger, MoffettNathanson Research said on Tuesday.

The deal, which could be challenged by the Justice Department, Federal Communications Commission, state attorneys general or utilities commissions, has been criticized because it would reduce the number of national wireless carriers available to consumers from four to three.