The nation’s fourth largest carrier, T-Mobile, and its German parent company Deutsche Telekom AG, are reportedly discussing a potential merger with MetroPCS, the nation’s fifth largest carrier. The merger would be a direct result of T-Mobile’s continued subscriber defections, having lost 802,000 customers in the fourth quarter of 2011 alone. Deutsche Telekom is considering an outright sale of T-Mobile or a stock-swap transaction that would give Deutsche Telekom continued control over the combined entity.

T-Mobile has been looking for options since its failed merger with AT&T last November. MetroPCS currently has 9.5 million subscribers and growing.

What do you think of this proposed/rumored deal?

The New Combined Carrier?