California Public Advocates Press for Dish Responses on T-Mobile/Sprint

The California Public Utilities Commission should compel Dish Network to respond to data requests by the CPUC Public Advocates Office about T-Mobile's buy of Sprint, the office said in a Tuesday motion. “DISH is a party to the proceeding and a key player in the DOJ and FCC commitments made by Sprint and T-Mobile.” PAO seeks “supplemental and clarifying information regarding the DOJ and FCC commitments entered into by Sprint, T-Mobile, and DISH, in order to evaluate whether there is a negative impact on the originally proposed transaction.” Dish opposed PAO’s requests in Sept. 20 and Oct. 31 filings, arguing they exceed jurisdiction. PAO asked CPUC require Dish to respond by Friday, shorter than the typical 15 days. Dish can respond by Nov. 13, but not sooner, because it's focused on preparing testimony due Thursday, and responding by Friday to a separate PAO data request, the company wrote Administrative Law Judge Karl Bemesderfer Wednesday.