In another bad sign for T-Mobile-Sprint merger prospects, FCC pauses shot clock in light of companies’ new filings

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a pause in the shot clock on the T-Mobile-Sprint merger in light of new filings from T-Mobile and Sprint. The pause provides interested parties the opportunity to file comments by March 28.

“Eight months after their initial filing, T-Mobile and Sprint continue to file new analyses for the merger. It seems clear that the companies have failed to persuade regulators. But no amount of shifting justifications or new arguments can make the case that this merger, as presently constructed, is in the public interest. The merger would eliminate 30,000 jobs, raise prices on consumers, and fail to deliver on promises for rural America.” Said Debbie Goldman, CWA Research and Telecommunications Policy Director.

The development is another in a string of bad signs for the merger. The US House Antitrust Subcommittee will hold a public hearing on the proposed merger on Tuesday, March 12 to examine the merger’s impact on consumers, workers, and the Internet. Executives of both companies, public interest and rural organizations, and CWA President Chris Shelton will testify.
 

Links:

Commission announces receipt of additional analysis and information from T-mobile and Sprint; Establishes comment deadline (FCC, Mar. 7, 2019)

March 12th: House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on the Sprint & T-Mobile merger (US House, Mar. 6, 2019)