Last week, an “anti-collusion” deadline expired, allowing wireless carriers that participated in a recent FCC airwaves auction to weigh mergers. That could open the door for companies such as MetroPCS and Leap Wireless to reconsider merger talks.

In September, MetroPCS made an unsolicited bid to acquire Leap for about $5.3 billion. Leap said the price was too low, but it was open to discussions. MetroPCS withdrew its offer in November, saying it was unable to “engage Leap in meaningful negotiations.”

Leap Wireless said it maintains its long-held stance: “We think there could be merit to a combination with MetoPCS,” but it will continue focusing on its own business and launching in new markets, it said. MetroPCS was not immediately available to comment.

Low-cost wireless service company MetroPCS on Monday posted better-than-expected growth in customers despite the weak economy. Morgan Stanley analyst Simon Flannery said he expects both MetroPCS and Leap “to continue to take market share as they expand coverage.”

“Investors will also focus on industry consolidation potential particularly in the wake of the end of the FCC’s anti-collusion rules expiring last week,” Flannery said in a research report.

Last week, UBS analyst John Hodulik also noted the April 3 anti-collusion deadline. “We believe merger talks could resume between Metro and Leap at that time. We continue to believe a merger between the two companies is likely given similar business models and potential for synergies,” Hodulik said in a research report.

Despite that public spat and Leap’s rejection of MetroPCS’s overture, analysts have speculated that the two companies would eventually combine. Stay tuned.