In fact, if history is any guide, it is more likely that a deal will be struck that allows the merger. Opposition from Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) could be muted by the fact that the merger would leave Sprint as the only large low-cost provider in the US. A combined AT&T/T-Mobile would hold about 43% of the US mobile phone market, while Verizon Wireless would own about 34%. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture between Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone plc (NASDAQ: VOD).