FCC Blasts AT&T Deal
Federal regulators issued a stinging 109-page analysis of AT&T Inc.’s proposed $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile USA, saying it would limit competition in virtually every U.S. city and lead to higher prices for customers.
The decision to release the analysis — which came despite AT&T’s objections — marked the latest blow to the deal, which is on life support after a lawsuit by the Justice Department and criticism from the Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC said last week it wanted to call a trial-like hearing to review the deal. AT&T responded by pulling its application at the FCC and the agency, after some discussion over the weekend, agreed Tuesday to let the withdrawal go through.
