AT&T/T-Mobile merger parties granted court postponement

Speed Matters has been following the AT&T/T-Mobile merger since it was first announced in March of this year. Speed Matters has emphasized the advantages the merger presents for both workers and consumers, with the promise of increased broadband build out, the greater likelihood of a unionized, high-wage workforce, and job creation from increased network, the return of 5,000 offshored call center jobs, and AT&T's promise that all current frontline workers would have a job at the merged company.

Despite these benefits, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission opposed the merger on issues of competition. Most recently, AT&T and T-Mobile asked the U.S. District Court for, and received, a postponement of the Justice Department lawsuit.

AT&T has said that it still wants to explore a new construction of the deal that may appease federal regulators.

AT&T, Justice agree to postpone case as companies scramble to salvage deal (Washington Post Tech, Dec. 12, 2011)