\tThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) looked set to approve T-Mobile US and Sprint\u2019s proposed merger by the slimmest of majorities, after two of the regulator\u2019s five commissioners voted against giving the deal a green light.<\/p>\n
Geoffrey Starks (pictured, second from right) and Jessica Rosenworcel (pictured, far left) voted against the merger, with both citing an expected negative impact on competition and ultimately on consumers.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Starks accused the FCC and Department of Justice (DoJ) of ignoring expert advice which indicated the original merger proposal would \u201clikely harm competition and raise prices\u201d, by subsequently accepting \u201cpaper-thin commitments\u201d by the operators to expand broadband access and 5G coverage.<\/p>\n
He said the commitments \u201ccannot mask reality\u201d, namely that a reduction in operator numbers from four to three \u201cwill hurt competition\u201d.<\/p>\n
Rosenworcel took a similar line: \u201cWe\u2019ve all seen what happens when markets become more concentrated after a merger like this\u201d, she stated, citing the airline and pharmaceutical sectors as examples. \u201cThere\u2019s no reason to think this time will be different. Overwhelming evidence demonstrates that the T-Mobile Sprint merger will reduce competition, raise prices, lower quality and slow innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n
FCC chief Ajit Pai (pictured, centre) recently resisted calls by politicians [1] and groups opposing the deal [2] to extend the commission\u2019s review of the planned merger. Pai and two other commissioners have supported the tie-up since before the DoJ gave its blessing in July [3].<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/top-three\/fcc-resists-pressure-to-extend-merger-review\/
\n[2] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/top-three\/critics-renew-calls-for-sprint-t-mobile-merger-delay\/
\n[3] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/featured-content\/home-banner\/sprint-t-mobile-merger-wins-doj-approval\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) looked set to approve T-Mobile US and Sprint’s proposed merger …<\/p>\n
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