FCC Won't Pause T-Mobile/Sprint Shot Clock

The FCC Wireless Bureau denied a request by Communications Workers of America and others (see 1808170052) that the FCC pause its shot clock on consideration of T-Mobile’s proposed buy of Sprint. “We deny the Motion in all respects and decline to stop the clock or extend the current pleading schedule under which petitions to deny currently are due” on Aug. 27, said a Wednesday order by Bureau Chief Donald Stockdale in docket 18-197. “Although the Commission encourages the widest possible public participation and has a strong interest in ensuring that the record is complete and fully developed with respect a proposed transaction, the Movants have failed to establish any basis.” That this is a busy period of pending proceedings before the FCC and the FTC doesn’t support delay, Stockdale said. “If the Movants find the data submitted by the Applicants to be deficient, then they certainly may rely on that deficiency to support arguments in a petition to deny the proposed transaction.”