NEW YORK: T-Mobile USA announced plans yesterday to merge with US-based carrier MetroPCS in a cash and stock deal that gives T-Mobile’s parent Deutsche Telekom firm a 74 percent stake in the new company.
The deal takes two carriers struggling to keep up with the big three and creates “the leading value carrier in the US wireless marketplace,” a statement from the two firms said.
“We are extremely pleased to announce this transaction with MetroPCS, which enhances Deutsche Telekom’s position in the expanding US wireless market,” said Rene Obermann, chief executive of Deutsche Telekom.
“The T-Mobile and MetroPCS brands are a great strategic fit both operationally and culturally. The new company will be the value leader in wireless with the scale, spectrum and financial and other resources.”
Obermann said the deal creates “a sustainable and financially viable national challenger in the US.”
The new company will retain the T-Mobile name, and “will have the expanded scale, spectrum and financial resources to aggressively compete with the other national US wireless carriers,” the joint statement said.
The deal brings together T-Mobile’s 33 million subscribers, and the 9.3 million with MetroPCS, but the new firm will remain well behind US market leaders AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel.
Significantly, it combines the spectrum holdings to give the new firm greater network coverage in deploying new high-speed networks for smartphones known as LTE.
The transaction is structured as a recapitalization, in which MetroPCS makes a cash payment of $ 1.5 billion to its shareholders and acquires all T-Mobile stock.
Deutsche Telekom will roll its inter-company loan into $ 15 billion in unsecured notes in the new company.
The German telecom giant will also provide a $ 500 million unsecured credit line and a $ 5.5 billion backstop commitment.
The combined company is expected to have some 42.5 million subscribers and $ 24.8 billion of revenue.
T-Mobile to merge with MetroPCS
T-Mobile to merge with MetroPCS
GymNation launches its largest facility in Riyadh
GymNation, the region’s fastest-growing fitness brand, has launched its largest and most advanced (most instagrammable) facility to date in the heart of Qurtubah, Riyadh.
Spanning 77,000 square feet, GymNation’s new flagship sets a new benchmark for health and wellness facilities within Saudi Arabia, further reinforcing its mission to make world-class fitness accessible, affordable, and inclusive for everyone.
Purpose-built to meet the needs of the local community, the facility offers a diverse mix of premium training environments, industry-leading equipment, and specialized spaces tailored to different fitness goals and lifestyles.
In a first for the Kingdom, the gym features the largest ladies-only Reformer Pilates studio in Saudi Arabia, alongside a private Reformer Pilates room.
It also debuts GymNation’s first-ever male spin studio complemented by a dedicated ladies-only spin zone to add to its offerings.
Gym-goers will also benefit from a purpose-built Glute Training Zone, a mind and body studio for holistic health practices, an affiliated HYROX training club for high-performance training, and the region’s largest free weights section.
In addition to its cutting-edge fitness zones, GymNation Qurtubah features a fully equipped recovery area complete with infrared saunas, ice baths, and treatment rooms to support total wellness and optimal performance.
Josh Whitely, KSA country director, said: “After an incredibly successful pre-sell, we opened GymNation Qurtubah, with over 7,000 members on day one, and the initial feedback has been unbelievable, and we are only just getting started.
We’ve got a series of brand-new classes launching, as well as some groundbreaking gym events that will blend fitness, wellness, culture, and music into one amazing space. Riyadh will not have seen anything like GymNation before!”
Speaking about the launch, Loren Holland, founder and CEO of GymNation, said: “Beyond being our largest gym to date, this new Qurtubah location is another symbol of our belief that fitness should be accessible, innovative, and empowering for everyone.
“Saudi Arabia is experiencing a fitness revolution and we’re proud to provide an environment where people of all fitness levels feel welcomed and motivated. We’ve invested significantly to bring not only the biggest gym with the widest selection of equipment and classes Riyadh has ever seen, but also a gym that looks incredible! From lighting to graffiti, all the way through to new fixtures and finishings, we’ve well and truly raised the bar for what a gym experience can be in the Kingdom.”
The launch of the Qurtubah men’s and women's gyms follows GymNation’s record-breaking entry into Saudi Arabia, which saw more than 12,000 pre-opening memberships snapped up in just 72 hours across its initial locations in Jeddah and Alkhobar in 2024.
As Saudi Arabia continues to drive forward its Vision 2030 goals of promoting more active communities, GymNation is uniquely positioned to support this momentum through its commitment to removing barriers around cost, intimidation, and accessibility.
OSP hosts region’s first ever JEC Composites Talks in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia hosted the JEC Composites Talks Middle East on June 24 in Alkhobar, marking the region’s first event fully dedicated to composite materials. Organized by JEC and hosted by the OSP, the event promotes polymer‑based applications, fosters industrial diversification through non‑metallic materials, and accelerates the transfer of innovative technologies while forging partnerships between local and international stakeholders.
Against the backdrop of Saudi Vision 2030 and significant investments in the region in advanced materials, fiber‑reinforced composites are emerging as key enablers across sectors such as mobility, construction, energy, oil and gas, and infrastructure.
The JEC Composites Talks Middle East gathered industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to explore market trends, localization strategies, technological innovation, sustainability, and the composites value chain, capped by a curated networking reception. On June 25, participants visited SPARK, Mateen Bar, and Novel facilities to experience firsthand regional capabilities.
Mohammad Al-Tayyar, program director of OSP, said: “Our partnership with JEC marks a new era for the composites industry in Saudi Arabia paving the way for significant advancements in environmentally efficient solutions and industrial partnerships, ensuring that the Kingdom remains at the forefront of the composites market.”
Thomas Lepretre, vice president sales, events and operations at JEC Group, said: “Middle East and Saudi Arabia represent a strong market potential for composites materials. We are very pleased to be partnering with OSP and being able to serve the composites industry by organizing events in the Kingdom.”
Building on this momentum, the first JEC Forum Middle East — a business meetings‑focused event— will be held in Riyadh on June 23–24, 2026, uniting the region’s composites value chain.
Huawei MatePad Pro 12.2: a tablet to replace office PC?
Bad tools hurt worker productivity more than we usually realize. For the last several decades, laptops have been the default workplace device. But as work becomes increasingly mobile and multitasking-driven, traditional tools are proving inadequate to keep up with the pace and flexibility modern roles demand. According to studies, switching to more portable office devices can deliver noticeable gains. A 2023 IDC study found that 85 percent of companies reported measurable productivity gains after adopting mobile devices like tablets in the workplace.
Tablets, once seen as consumption-focused devices, are stepping in to fill that role. They have evolved into productivity devices, resembling laptops more and more. They now combine the performance of PCs with the agility of mobile devices, creating a powerful, flexible way to get more done from anywhere.
In the past, the biggest drawback of tablets was the software. Doing real work on a tablet meant wrestling with mobile apps scaled up for a bigger screen but without key features one would need. That is no longer the case. Productivity-focused tablets are coming out with PC-level software and full desktop-grade office suites that support advanced functions and shortcuts. Huawei is making great headway in turning tablets into something that can replace office PCs. Huawei’s approach is to provide a hardware and software experience on the same level as laptops while pushing the limits of portability, even beyond what we have come to expect of tablets.
The latest Huawei MatePad Pro 12.2-inch is a case in point. It comes with a keyboard cover and even supports the addition of an external mouse. And it is not the typical tablet keyboard covers with flimsy support, bad viewing angles, crammed keys and an unresponsive touchpad. The Glide Keyboard has large full-sized keys with 1.5 mm key travel and a large trackpad, as in most laptops. Users can also throw in an external mouse if they wish. The support for the M-Pencil adds another dimension of flexibility to the mix and the keyboard cover features a 2-in-1 stylus and keyboard storage and charging design, a first on a tablet.
The story is remarkable on the software side as well. The tablet’s PC-level WPS Office and Live-Multitask feature makes office work surprisingly easy. WPS Office on the tablet mirrors the PC version, including the interface and editing and presentation features. Users can draft documents, manage large spreadsheets, or review design mockups without compromise. The Live-Multitask feature lets you juggle multiple apps seamlessly and resize app windows or switch between them with just a tap.
Portability being yet another major factor that aids productivity, Huawei has worked hard to trim the weight and size of the new tablet with some meticulous design choices. The keyboard is crafted with aerospace-grade materials, and at just 420 grams and 5.15 mm thick, it is the lightest keyboard of its kind.
Perhaps one area where tablets can trump laptops is how they can replace multiple devices and stationery professionals otherwise have to carry around. A tablet can be a replacement for not just laptops but it is also useful for note taking, sketching, and even documentation using the camera. Not having to switch between tools to perform tasks can dramatically streamline productivity.
The MatePad Pro 12.2-inch is available now for pre-order in Saudi Arabia at a starting price SR2,499 ($666), after applying the cashback, with valuable gifts through Huawei’s online store and other authorized retailers.
Consumers ‘adjust’ shopping habits amid rising inflation
A new survey has revealed global concern (85 percent of respondents) about inflation’s impact on grocery prices, illustrating consumer unease and clear changes in purchasing decisions across the world. Blue Yonder, a world leader in end-to-end digital supply chain transformation, announced the results of its 2025 Global Consumer Sentiment on Grocery Inflation Survey, spotlighting how sustained inflation, supply chain challenges and global tariffs are influencing grocery spending and broader consumer behavior across generations and regions. The survey polled consumers across Australia and New Zealand, France, Germany, the Middle East, the UK, and the US.
“The findings of this survey underscore just how widespread and deeply felt the impact of inflation is on consumers’ everyday lives,” said Ben Wynkoop, senior director, global industry strategist, grocery and convenience, Blue Yonder. “From buying fewer grocery items and cutting back on certain purchases to shopping at discount retailers and reprioritizing spending across other categories, consumers are navigating prolonged uncertainty — and retailers must adapt accordingly.”
Nearly half (49 percent) of all respondents believe newly introduced global tariffs are the leading factor behind inflated grocery prices, followed by increased costs for raw materials (42 percent), increased labor costs in manufacturing and food processing (39 percent), and increased profit margins for brands and manufacturers (33 percent).
The perceived top factor driving inflated grocery prices differs across regions. Consumers in the US (65 percent), the UK (56 percent) and the Middle East (50 percent) feel global tariffs are the leading cause of rising prices. Consumers in ANZ (50 percent) feel that increased profit margins for brands and manufacturers is the top factor for inflated prices, while consumers in France (48 percent) and Germany (47 percent) believe the increased cost of raw materials is the leading cause of grocery inflation.
There is a generational divide, too. Baby Boomers uniquely believe that increased labor costs in manufacturing and food processing are the leading cause for grocery inflation (52 percent), whereas all other generational groups believe global tariffs are the top cause of inflated prices.
Inflation’s grip on grocery bills is triggering global concern from consumers. Almost two-thirds of consumers (65 percent) report they would buy fewer grocery items across categories to cope with price increases, while 42 percent would shop at discount and wholesale stores. In addition, approximately one-third would prefer shopping based on promotions and discounts (36 percent) and switching to private label brands (34 percent).
Globally, consumers in ANZ are the most likely to reduce spending on clothing and footwear (67 percent), followed closely by the US (62 percent), the UK (61 percent), France (49 percent), Germany (49 percent), and the Middle East (47 percent).
“With most consumers willing to adjust shopping habits in response to grocery inflation and mounting financial pressures, retailers — not just grocers — need to recognize the importance of building trust with shoppers through transparency, targeted promotions and affordability-first strategies,” Wynkoop added. “Having the right supply chain solutions can help retailers win with consumers during times of both economic prosperity and difficulty.”
LuLu Retail wins ‘Best IPO in the Middle East’ award
LuLu Retail Holdings, the region’s leading full-line retailer, has been honored with the prestigious “Best IPO in the Middle East” award by EMEA Finance magazine. The recognition was presented at the annual EMEA Finance Achievement Awards 2024, held in London on June 22.
The accolade celebrates LuLu Retail’s landmark initial public offering, which successfully raised $1.7 billion in Q4 2024, and marked the company’s official listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. The IPO drew widespread investor interest and was one of the most anticipated public listings in the region, reinforcing strong market confidence in the group’s growth trajectory, financial resilience, and retail leadership.
The EMEA Finance Achievement Awards are regarded as a benchmark of excellence in capital markets across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Winners are selected by the editorial board from a pool of nominations submitted by investment banks, corporates, and market participants. The awards spotlight the most impactful and innovative financial transactions spanning IPOs, debt issuance, Islamic finance, structured deals, and mergers and acquisitions.
Saifee Rupawala, CEO of LuLu Retail Holdings, said: “We are truly honored to receive this award, which reflects the strength of our business, the commitment of our team, and the trust placed in us by our investors. The IPO marked a transformative chapter for LuLu Retail, and we remain committed to delivering long-term value and sustainable growth.”
