T-Mobile to buy Ka’ena, owner of Ryan Reynolds-backed Mint Mobile, for $1.35 billion

 In a move that has sent shockwaves through the telecommunications industry, T-Mobile US has announced that it will acquire Ka'ena LLC, the owner of Mint Mobile, for a staggering $1.35 billion. This deal is significant not only because of the large sum involved, but also because of the involvement of actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds, who has been a vocal supporter of Mint Mobile since becoming its owner in 2019.

Mint Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that operates on T-Mobile's network, offering prepaid wireless services at competitive prices. Since its acquisition by Reynolds, Mint Mobile has gained a loyal following thanks to its straightforward pricing and customer-friendly policies. Reynolds, who serves as the company's spokesperson, has used his star power and humor to promote the brand through a series of quirky advertisements and social media posts.

With this acquisition, T-Mobile will take full control of Mint Mobile's operations, but the brand is expected to remain intact. In a statement announcing the deal, T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert praised Mint Mobile's "innovative approach to serving customers" and said that the two companies share a commitment to providing "great value and customer experience."

For Reynolds, this deal represents a significant payday, but it's also a validation of his business acumen. In an interview with CNBC, he described Mint Mobile as a "passion project" and said that he was proud of what the company had achieved under his ownership. He also hinted at future projects in the telecommunications space, saying that he sees "a lot of opportunity to disrupt" the industry.

The acquisition of Mint Mobile is just the latest example of T-Mobile's aggressive expansion strategy. In recent years, the company has acquired several other MVNOs, including Boost Mobile and MetroPCS, as it seeks to broaden its customer base and solidify its position as one of the leading wireless providers in the United States.

What remains to be seen is how this acquisition will impact Mint Mobile's existing customers. Some may worry that the brand's customer-friendly policies could be altered under T-Mobile's ownership, while others may see this as an opportunity for Mint Mobile to expand its offerings and improve its network coverage.

Regardless of what the future holds, one thing is clear: the acquisition of Mint Mobile is a significant moment in the history of the telecommunications industry, and it has put both T-Mobile and Ryan Reynolds in the spotlight once again.