[Update] Acquisition of MetroPCS by Deutsche Telekom is said to be near

Sources speaking to Bloomberg are saying T-Mobile USA parent company Deutsche Telekom is nearing an agreement to purchase MetroPCS. This acquisition will be used to strengthen T-Mobile USA by giving it more subscribers and a wider national footprint. There’s a chance the purchase could be made official before the week is over.

T-Mobile has been in desperate need of a shot in the arm. As the only major U.S. carrier that doesn’t sell the iPhone, T-Mobile has seen its contract customers jumping ship like never before. Since T-Mobile can’t compete with the likes of Verizon and AT&T in terms of network speed or coverage, it’s relied on value offerings and a new truly unlimited data plan to retain customers. MetroPCS could give T-Mobile the boost it needs to better compete on a national level, though it still won’t give Verizon a run for its money.

Update: According to AllThings D, Deutsche Telekom acknowledged it is in talks with MetroPCS, but “significant issues” are still undecided on.

Via [Bloomberg]