T-Mobile-Sprint Merger Odds May Rise With Cable Move Into Mobile

Cable companies have begun offering mobile phone service— a trend that could ease the way for T-Mobile US Inc. and Sprint Corp. to merge.

That’s because regulators are more likely to approve the deal if they conclude there will still be sufficient competition if the third and fourth biggest mobile providers combine.

They are examining the idea. One of the regulators deciding whether to allow the merger, the Federal Communications Commission, this week asked the largest cable companies, Comcast Corp. and Charter Communications Inc. for details about their new mobile offerings.

“If anything this is a positive sign for the ...