Sprint, T-Mobile appear close to a merger

Sprint and T-Mobile are hoping to get it right this time.

The two wireless carriers are nearing a deal to merge, according to two people briefed on the matter, and an announcement could come as soon as this weekend.

The companies were at the bargaining table twice before, most recently last year. If a deal goes through now, it will create a wireless giant with more than 127 million customers — large enough to challenge Verizon and AT&T, which have long dominated the market. As a result, three companies would control almost the entirety of the U.S. wireless industry.

WOMAN SUES SOUTHWEST OVER ENGINE DISASTER

PHILADELPHIA >> A passenger who says she’s been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder since an engine exploded on a Southwest Airlines flight is suing the airline and the manufacturer of the engine. The lawsuit by Lilia Chavez filed Thursday in federal court in Philadelphia alleges negligence by Southwest and engine maker CFM International. Chavez says she was sitting three seats behind a window that shattered after the engine exploded on Flight 1380 on April 17 and resulted in a passenger’s death.

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ON THE MOVE

>> DoubleTree by Hilton Alana Waikiki Beach has announced that Cheryl Lynn Nasser was promoted to director of sales, marketing and revenue from director of revenue management. Nasser previously served as an assistant director of revenue management at DoubleTree by Hilton Alana’s sister properties, Hilton Hawaiian Village and Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.

>> IQ 360 has announced that Amy Higa is the firm’s new senior account coordinator at its Honolulu office. She previously spearheaded marketing efforts at Inkinen & Associates and Remedy Intelligent Staffing. Prior to that, Higa helped with several projects as a member of Alexander & Baldwin’s Government and Community Relations department as well as assisted in the marketing and sales department of Hawaii News Now.

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