Open Proceeding T-Mobile/Sprint Consent Decree, Senators Urge FCC

Eight Democratic senators asked the FCC to issue a public notice and seek comment on T-Mobile buying Sprint as laid out in the DOJ consent decree (see 1907260071), though the FCC doesn't seem so inclined. Louisiana, meanwhile, joined states supporting the deal. In a letter Friday to Chairman Ajit Pai, the senators said they have significant competition concerns about the deal and the consent decree terms "may prove insufficient to protect competition, innovation, and the public interest." They noted the decree then had Dish Network asking the FCC for construction deadline extensions. They said the FCC's merger review process wasn't transparent, with Pai voicing support for the deal weeks before knowing of the consent decree terms. The senators said Dish's planned 5G deployment as part of its Boost acquisition is a major part of T-Mobile/Sprint that the public hasn't had a chance to address. Presidential candidates Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York signed, along with fellow Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Tom Udall of New Mexico and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. The FCC doesn't seem so inclined. It emailed us that T-Mobile/Sprint "has been pending in front of the Commission for more than a year, and there have been multiple public comment cycles. Moreover, the commitments offered by T-Mobile and Sprint to the Commission have been public since May, and many parties have submitted comments about them. The time has come for Commissioners to vote and for this proceeding to be brought to a close.” Announcing Louisiana's support for the deal, state Attorney General Jeff Landry noted T-Mobile's aims of providing coverage to 90 percent of rural America and offering residential broadband to more than 5.5 million rural Americans. “Louisiana citizens living in rural communities deserve meaningful competition and reliable service,” he said. Nebraska, Kansas, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Dakota backed the consent decree, while about a dozen states are suing to block T-Mobile/Sprint.