WSJ: AT&T in pursuit of Leap Wireless, MetroPCS, Dish Networks for spectrum grab

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The Wall Street Journal is reporting that AT&T is in hot pursuit of Leap Wireless (owner of Cricket), MetroPCS, an Dish Networks to acquire more spectrum holdings in the wake of its failed T-Mobile USA acquisition.

AT&T started talking to Leap Wireless about selling assets when it was still attempting to get its purchase of T-Mobile approved by the government. Reportedly, those talks have continued since the T-Mobile purchase was taken off of the table, and have progressed to the point where the companies are considering a buyout of Leap by AT&T.

AT&T is also in similar talks with MetroPCS and Dish Networks to acquire the companies for their spectrum holdings, but the plans are not as well developed as those with Leap Wireless.

A purchase or acquisition of any of these companies would take a considerable amount of time, and AT&T would have to go through the same government wringer as it did with its attempted purchase of T-Mobile. There is the possibility that since these companies are significantly smaller than T-Mobile and operate regional networks (in the case of Leap and MetroPCS), the FCC could be more allowing of an acquisition by AT&T.