T-Mobile/Sprint Opponents Ask DOJ to Reject Deal

A group including Dish Network, small carriers, public interest and consumer groups and labor unions sent a letter to DOJ Antitrust Division Chief Makan Delrahim Thursday asking the department to block the T-Mobile/Sprint deal. T-Mobile and Sprint, meanwhile, had a key meeting at the DOJ Thursday to discuss their proposed transaction, industry officials said. “If allowed to proceed, this transaction would consolidate the nation’s wireless market from four to just three carriers, lead to price increases for virtually all wireless customers, substantially raise wholesale rates for smaller wireless carriers, and cause significant job losses -- all while failing to deliver the promised benefits of accelerated 5G deployment or expanded rural coverage,” the letter argues. “The parties have had more than 11 months to make a convincing argument that their deal is in the public interest and that it will not harm competition. To date, they have failed to make this case.” Among those signing on are the AFL-CIO, Common Cause, Communications Workers of America, Consumer Reports, The Greenlining Institute, Incompas, New America’s Open Technology Institute, Next Century Cities, the Open Markets Institute, Public Knowledge, the Rural Wireless Association and the Wireless ISP Association. The companies didn't comment. "An honest review of the facts clearly shows that this merger is in the best interest of American consumers -- the New T-Mobile will deliver the nation’s best 5G network, create more competition and drive jobs growth," A T-Mobile spokesperson said in response: "This opposition group is clearly focused on maintaining a status quo that benefits them, instead of truly improving things for consumers. We are confident the transaction will be judged on its merits."