DOJ's Lawrence Notes T-Mobile/Sprint Virtues, Telecom's Centrality to Economy

DOJ Antitrust Division Competition Policy Section Chief David Lawrence noted the FCC cited “remarkable efficiencies” in T-Mobile’s proposed purchase of Sprint as among the reasons the commission approved the deal in October (see 1910160058), speaking at a Tuesday Incompas event (see 2003030064). Lawrence temporarily transferred to the commission as head of its T-Mobile/Sprint Transaction Task Force (see 1806270068). FCC engineers found “real complementarities between” the T-Mobile and Sprint networks, and the commission’s order approving the deal requires the two carriers to build out their combined network “to a tremendous swath of the country,” Lawrence said. He wouldn’t discuss DOJ’s separate review of T-Mobile/Sprint, saying the agencies’ merger reviews are usually very similar and “tend to be very long” and “very thorough.” Lawrence noted a belief that good antitrust policy “puts competition in control.” That approach is especially important to the telecom sector because it’s now “really at the heart” of the U.S. economy, he said. It's "the goose that lays the golden eggs,” with 5G now poised to “be the next golden egg,” Lawrence said. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero ruled last month against states’ challenge to T-Mobile/Sprint (see 2002110026). The California Public Utilities Commission will vote on the deal April 16 (see 2002240053).