AT&T, DirecTV Representatives Discuss Deal With FCC Officials

AT&T and DirecTV officials told FCC officials that their proposed transaction would provide benefits to tens of millions of consumers, according to an ex parte filing posted Monday in docket 14-90 about a conference call Friday. They cited the voluntary commitments they had previously made to provide the commission with further assurances the deal would be in the public interest, the filing said. In response to a question after the FCC's Thursday meeting, Chairman Tom Wheeler said the agency was trying to resolve the AT&T/DirecTV proceeding "with dispatch" but wouldn't elaborate. The FCC's nonbinding 180-day shot clock for its AT&T/DirecTV review remains stopped on Day 170.