Sprint and T-Mobile argued that their combination would create a better service. But the deal could lead to higher rates and hurt employees of both companies. (Photo: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com)

While the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission are evaluating the pros and cons of T-Mobile's proposed $ 26 billion merger with Sprint, T-Mobile continues to update its promises to strengthen its chances of obtaining government approval.

In the latest update, T-Mobile is committed to continuing to support "indefinitely" the low-income Sprint Insurance Wireless brand, USA TODAY learned.

Insurance, along with the other prepaid brands of Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Wireless, and the T-Mobile subway network, are popular with low-cost, cost-conscious Americans for their cheaper solutions than the top four networks wireless.

Part of Virgin Mobile, Insurance participates in the Lifeline Assistance program, a government service that allows people on public assistance programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps or Supplemental Security Income to benefit from a $ 9.25 reduction per month on telephone services or possibly a free discount. telephone and service to "eligible low-income households".

Insurance offers Lifeline in 41 states as well as Washington, DC, while T-Mobile provides program support in nine states and Puerto Rico.

The service is limited to one account per household and proof of your income or your participation in one of the other government programs may be necessary to verify that you are eligible.

"The digital divide is real and we want to help reduce it," said T-Mobile President Mike Sievert in a statement to the United States today. "We are committed to having the new T-Mobile indefinitely maintain existing T-Mobile and Sprint Lifeline programs across the country, unless there are fundamental changes in the current program."

Democrats lobbied T-Mobile and Sprint because they feared that their merger would lead to higher prices.

At the end of last month, Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), A first-year Congressman, sent a letter to the DOJ and the FCC signed by 36 other Democrats in the FJ and FCC, claiming in part that Agreement "would disproportionately harm people with low incomes and communities of color". who are on brands like Boost or Metro.

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T-Mobile had previously promised not to raise rates for three years, either for its plans or for those of Sprint. The company also argued that by partnering with Sprint, the new entity would be able to offer better service in rural areas as well as access to a more robust 5G network.

"This is a merger likely to bring enhanced broadband services to price-sensitive consumers, primarily due to the expectation of a high-bandwidth network." enhanced flow and better quality, "said Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, a member of the Brookings Institution. Center for Technology Innovation and supporter of the Lifeline program, USA TODAY explains.

"There will be a lot of people who depend on these two companies to survive."

Turner Lee hopes that T-Mobile and Sprint "realize that they have two assets: improve their services or exploit them, and I think that in the current context of competitive broadband services, will not help them . "

Representative Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., Who had originally led a letter signed by 50 congressmen asking companies for their commitment to Lifeline in February, welcomed T-Mobile's commitment.

"I appreciate that T-Mobile is answering our questions and looks forward to knowing how the proposed new T-Mobile plans to commit the resources needed to increase Lifeline's participation from year to year." said Cárdenas in a statement.

"If the merger is successful, I hope to receive updates on New T-Mobile's actions to provide mobile services to vulnerable populations for generations to come."

The leaders of T-Mobile and Sprint, including Marcelo Claure, executive chairman of Legere and Sprint, are expected to appear at Capitol Hill Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee to continue lobbying for their merger.

Follow Eli Blumenthal on Twitter @eliblumenthal

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