X
Tech

Sprint responds as AT&T files new economic model with FCC

As AT&T delivers an updated proposal with a new economic model to the FCC regarding its planned merger with T-Mobile, Sprint has stepped in again as the opposition leader.
Written by Rachel King, Contributor

As AT&T delivers an updated proposal with a new economic model to the FCC regarding its planned merger with T-Mobile, Sprint has stepped in again as the opposition leader.

Vonya B. McCann, senior vice president of Government Affairs for Sprint, issued the following statement on Monday afternoon:

AT&T's 'do-over' submission is a last-ditch attempt to distract regulators, politicians and consumers from the fact that it has failed to provide any evidence that its proposed takeover of T-Mobile yields meaningful benefits. Its latest model, clearly constructed with predetermined results in mind, does nothing to change the negative consequences of the takeover for consumers in the form of higher prices, reduced innovation and decreased investment. The facts do not justify allowing that to happen, and we believe the ongoing investigations by the Department of Justice, the Federal Communications Commission and 11 state attorneys general and various state regulatory commissions will reach the same conclusions.

Last week, the FCC paused its 180-day informal timeline for reviewing of the acquisition as AT&T promised additional "economic evidence that further confirms the tremendous efficiencies and consumer benefits resulting from this transaction," according to Bloomberg.

Sprint has continually being the largest opponent to the idea of a merger, or takeover in Sprint's opinion, between AT&T and T-Mobile. Several other local wireless providers nationwide, politicians and even some AT&T customers have also spoken out against the deal.

However, several tech giants, including Microsoft, Facebook and RIM (all companies likely to benefit from the merger), as well as a handful of venture capital firms have written letters to the FCC supporting the merger.

Verizon Wireless, for the most part, has been eerily silent.

Related:

Editorial standards