T-Mobile could attract suitors again, Deutsche Telekom says

T-Mobile US Inc., the wireless carrier that drew unsuccessful bids from Sprint Corp. and Iliad SA this year, remains an attractive asset for other potential suitors, according to its owner Deutsche Telekom AG.

Companies that could seek to control the fourth-largest U.S. mobile-phone company include Comcast Corp., America Movil SAB and Dish Network Corp., Deutsche Telekom Chief Executive Officer Timotheus Hoettges said in an interview in Barcelona. The German carrier isn’t talking to the companies, he said.

Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son, who controls Sprint through SoftBank Corp., could also revive an attempt to strengthen his position in the U.S., Hoettges said. Providers of software and other services over the Internet may also look for network infrastructure in the U.S., he said.

“Does that mean that we have to do a fast sale or something like that? Not at all,” Hoettges, 52, said today during an investor conference organized by Morgan Stanley. “It’s a growth stock at this point in time and there are optionalities in the
 market.”

Representatives for Dish, T-Mobile and Comcast declined to comment. A press official for Mexico City-based America movil didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

T-Mobile shares have held up since Iliad founder Xavier Niel’s pursuit was snubbed last month for a second time by Deutsche Telekom, while Sprint has slumped about 20 percent. Bellevue, Washington-based T-Mobile has raised its forecast
for subscriber additions, while Sprint has announced 2,000 job cuts.