FCC temporarily halts review of AT&T merger with T-Mobile

WaPo ^ | 7/21/11 | Cecilia Kang

[markomalley]

The Federal Communications Commission has stopped its 180-day review “shot clock” for AT&T’s proposed merger with T-Mobile, saying it needs more time to evaluate new information AT&T promises to deliver to the commission later this month.

[markomalley]

As much as I despise AT&T (I plan to drop my T-Mobile account as soon as the merger actually happens), the government has no business interfering with this.

[mort56]

It would appear the FCC and the Obama administration is waiting for the check to clear.

[garyb]

Why does the FCC pretend that it has a time limit?

[plain talk]

My guess is the FCC wants to milk AT&T for something they can use to buy votes for the Democratic Party. Julius Genachowski runs the FCC and was a Harvard bud of Obama.

[newzjunkey]

Of the major carriers, I think only AT&T and T-Mobile use the same cellphone network tech in the U.S.

As a technology merger it makes sense.

If not AT&T who could T-Mobile join?

[KevinDavis]

I also think that AT&T and T-Mobile can be used around in different countries..

[Conscience of a Conservative]

I disagree. Monopolies (and oligopolies) disrupt free markets, and I believe that enacting and enforcing antitrust laws is a legitimate function of government and a legitimate exercise of Congress’s power to regulate interstate commerce. That said, I don’t know enough about this merger to comment on whether the government has any business interfering with this particular deal.

[Kieri]

When Verizon Wireless ate Alltel, my data speeds went down the crapper. I used to pull down 2.2-2.5Mb but am lucky to get 40KB now. This is our only source of internet or I would’ve dumped it in a heartbeat.

The merger is BAD all the way around, especially for consumers. AT&T and VZW will then have a nice fat duopoly in which to overcharge customers.

[Grams A]

I have had T-Mobile forever because that’s who I chose. Have AT&T for my business lines because no other option exists. T-Mobile doesn’t need AT&T. Told then I’m dropping the cell service as soon as merger occurs. Refuse to give AT&T another penny.

[Cymbaline]

I work for AT&T (ex-Cinguar, ex-Pac Bell wireless), and I hope this deal doesn’t go through. It’s always bad for the employees when mergers like this happen. Plus, if I lose my job at AT&T, I’ll have T-Mobile as an option to go to.