Softbank today said that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has approved its plan to purchase a 70% equity stake in Sprint.
With the SEC review complete, Softbank said that Sprint will now mail its shareholders the information they need to vote on the purchase. The vote has been scheduled for June 12. Softbank is urging Sprint’s shareholders to approve the deal. If Sprint’s shareholders do in fact approve the deal, Softbank is confident that it will close its equity purchase by July 1. “The successful completion of the SEC review and the commencing of the mailing of the definitive proxy statement demonstrate the continued rapid progress we are making in closing our transaction with Sprint,” said Softbank. “We are pleased with this progress and believe that our ability to fund our investment in Sprint within a matter of weeks will enable Sprint to continue and accelerate its capital investment plans in 2013 and beyond.
Our investment will better position Sprint to win in the ultra-competitive U.S. wireless marketplace, drive subscriber growth, and create significant shareholder value.” Separately, Sprint has a special action committee evaluating a full acquisition offer from Dish Networks. Sprint has not said if or when it will make a decision about Dish’s competing offer.
