However the circumstances are not the same. The DOJ and the FCC were looking at a big cellular company (AT&T) gobbling up a small provider (T-Mobile) who does not even equate in terms of number of customers or service coverage.
I would have thought since they use the same technology (GSM) the likely prospect was ripe for them to acquire the smaller cell provider. However the DOJ was looking at the fact the number two carrier buying them would or could be a start to close them down thus stiffleing competition.
In Sprints case, they also have low numbers of subscribers, they too were bleeding money and due to Softbank now can see taking two small providers and merging into one can foster competition as I wrote above.
The one point that could stop this is Softbank which is a foreign company. But maybe not since Verizon had Vodaphone and T-Mobile has that German Telecom Company so it may not matter.
In my opinion the company (Sprint) will be granted the right to acquire T-Mobile and even though both companies together won't equal what even Verizon or AT&T have as far as customers, the stream lining may actually foster better prices and plans. It would be like it was before. Three major providers once again. The buyout would be good for Sprint of this I am sure.
