said by iansltx:USCC also has 700MHz spectrum, which Sprint doesn't want/need (they have SMR) and a bunch of LTE phones tht don't support Sprint's own LTE network.
So even if the USCC is bought it will take a year to get approved and a few more to totally integrate the service. So the lack of "non supported" phones will be moot by the time USCC is full integrated anyways. Is it cheaper for Sprint to buy USCC or build out in rural areas because that's what they need to do to grow. They aren't growing just staying in the big cities. Only so many at&t and Verizon customers they can poach with their unlimited data scheme.