T-Mobile has officially completed the acquisition of UScellular, welcoming 4 million former UScellular customers into its network. This major move, announced on August 2, 2025, marks another step in T-Mobile’s continued expansion as the company integrates UScellular’s wireless operations and spectrum into its own network.
What This Means for Customers
For those currently subscribed to UScellular, the transition should be seamless. T-Mobile promises enhanced network coverage for customers in former UScellular areas — many of whom previously faced limited high-speed connectivity options. The acquisition brings additional spectrum resources to T-Mobile, allowing for better nationwide service. Most UScellular devices will work on T-Mobile’s network without the need for immediate upgrades or changes.
In the short term, UScellular customers can stay on their existing plans. Eventually, they will have the option to join one of T-Mobile’s popular unlimited plans, gaining access to premium features such as bundled streaming services (Netflix, AppleTV+, MLB.TV), international roaming in 215+ countries, free in-flight Wi-Fi, device upgrades, and much more.
New Benefits and Features
Customers moving to T-Mobile plans can also take advantage of unique services like T-Satellite — a feature that automatically connects phones to Starlink satellites in areas lacking cellular coverage. Presently, this allows for texting and location sharing, with voice and picture messaging over satellite on the horizon. Future updates promise even satellite-based calls, providing crucial connectivity in remote locations.
T-Mobile further offers specialized plans tailored for first responders, teachers, and seniors aged 55+, demonstrating its commitment to diverse customer needs.
Financial Details and Brand Transition
The deal closed at approximately $4.3 billion, consisting of $2.6 billion in cash plus T-Mobile assuming about $1.7 billion of UScellular’s debt. The latter debt assumption is contingent on an exchange offer to UScellular debtholders expected to conclude by August 5, 2025. The UScellular brand will gradually phase out as those customer bases shift fully into T-Mobile.
Ahead of its third-quarter earnings call, T-Mobile will provide a comprehensive update on the financial impact and integration plans related to this acquisition.
Bigger Picture: T-Mobile’s Acquisition Strategy
This UScellular purchase joins several recent acquisitions fueling T-Mobile’s rapid growth:
- Mint Mobile: Acquired in May 2024, the MVNO is known for its celebrity-backed, humorous ad campaigns initiated by Ryan Reynolds.
- Ultra Mobile: Another MVNO absorbed in 2024 alongside Mint Mobile.
- Sprint: The largest deal to date, finalized in April 2020 for $26.5 billion.
- MetroPCS: Earlier acquisition from May 2013.
These strategic moves have allowed T-Mobile to build what many consider the best mobile network in the U.S., backed by superior coverage, service variety, and technological innovation.
T-Mobile shows no signs of slowing down as CEO Mike Sievert has expressed intent to grow even more. The UScellular deal adds valuable spectrum and customer base, strengthening T-Mobile’s position in the highly competitive telecom landscape.
For millions of UScellular subscribers, this marks the start of a new era of faster speeds, better coverage, and richer service offerings under the T-Mobile umbrella.