Consumer Confidential: T-Mobile, Sprint come up short in making their case for a wireless merger

Economists call it "perfect competition" and it's basically the opposite of a monopoly. It's when a market has a sufficient number of players to ensure the highest level of efficiency for both buyers and sellers.

It's a principle that's once again being put to the test as T-Mobile and Sprint seek a merger that would reduce the number of major wireless carriers in the United States from four to three.

The two companies make an interesting case. They're arguing that amid a costly race to introduce next-generation 5G wireless networks, they'd be better able to compete with market leaders AT&T and Verizon by pooling their resources.

They're saying it's better for consumers to have three strong