AT&T

Public Knowledge Sees Chances of AT&T Takeover Of T-Mobile 'Almost Gone'

 

Background: AT&T said late yesterday it would withdraw its application to take over T-Mobile from the Federal Communications Commission, while continuing to fight the antitrust case from the Justice Dept. in court. It would also take a $4 billion charge against earnings.


The following statement is attributed to Gigi B. Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge:


"After today's actions, the chances that AT&T will take over T-Mobile are almost gone. While you can never count out AT&T entirely, the fact that they pulled their FCC application speaks volumes about the company's lack of confidence that it could prove in a legal setting at the FCC the claims it spent millions of dollars to make about job creation and rural deployment of broadband, among other issues.

Don't Count Out AT&T --The Takeover Isn't Dead Yet

With any other company, in any other merger, the action the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Tuesday would be the signal that a deal is dead. But when one of the parties involved is AT&T, the rules don't apply.

To recap, on Nov. 22, the FCC announced that Chairman Julius Genachowski was going to ask the other commissioners to designate AT&T's takeover of T-Mobile for an administrative hearing. Sounds boring, no? Just some bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo, right? Yes, it is boring sounding. Yes, it is some bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo. And that's the point.



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With any other company, in any other merger, the action the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Tuesday would be the signal that a deal is dead. But when one of the parties involved is AT&T, the rules don't apply.

To recap, on Nov. 22, the FCC announced that Chairman Julius Genachowski was going to ask the other commissioners to designate AT&T's takeover of T-Mobile for an administrative hearing. Sounds boring, no? Just some bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo, right? Yes, it is boring sounding. Yes, it is some bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo. And that's the point.

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With any other company, in any other merger, the action the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Tuesday would be the signal that a deal is dead. But when one of the parties involved is AT&T, the rules don't apply.

To recap, on Nov. 22, the FCC announced that Chairman Julius Genachowski was going to ask the other commissioners to designate AT&T's takeover of T-Mobile for an administrative hearing. Sounds boring, no? Just some bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo, right? Yes, it is boring sounding. Yes, it is some bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo. And that's the point.

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

With any other company, in any other merger, the action the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Tuesday would be the signal that a deal is dead. But when one of the parties involved is AT&T, the rules don't apply.

To recap, on Nov. 22, the FCC announced that Chairman Julius Genachowski was going to ask the other commissioners to designate AT&T's takeover of T-Mobile for an administrative hearing. Sounds boring, no? Just some bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo, right? Yes, it is boring sounding. Yes, it is some bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo. And that's the point.

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Public Knowledge Commends FCC Chairman Genachowski For AT&T Takeover Action

The following statement is attributed to Gigi B. Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge:

"It is entirely appropriate for FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to ask his colleagues to assign the AT&T takeover of T-Mobile for an administrative hearing. This is a course the Commission has taken before in similar circumstances, and there is no reason it should not do so now.

"Chairman Genachowski is to be applauded for standing up to AT&T's lobbying machine and moving forward to a hearing designation. We hope that the other Commissioners will follow the Chairman's lead and move swiftly to vote the hearing designation order.

"Public Knowledge has said since the Department of Justice filed its suit, the law clearly requires the FCC to hold an evidentiary hearing. As we have seen, the Commission has continually asked AT&T for information about many of the company's claims that the takeover is in the public interest.

AT&T/T-Mobile Merger In Serious Doubt as FCC Chairman Calls for Hearing

FCC Chairman Genachowski has just announced that the FCC will vote on an order designating the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile for a hearing. This is a significant setback for AT&T--most mergers that reach this stage end up failing. This isn't the last step at the FCC, because the full Commission still needs to vote on the order, and then AT&T can either press its case before an Administrative Law Judge or simply withdraw its application. But's it's an important step and a victory for the public interest.



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FCC Chairman Genachowski has just announced that the FCC will vote on an order designating the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile for a hearing. This is a significant setback for AT&T--most mergers that reach this stage end up failing. This isn't the last step at the FCC, because the full Commission still needs to vote on the order, and then AT&T can either press its case before an Administrative Law Judge or simply withdraw its application. But's it's an important step and a victory for the public interest.

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FCC Chairman Genachowski has just announced that the FCC will vote on an order designating the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile for a hearing. This is a significant setback for AT&T--most mergers that reach this stage end up failing. This isn't the last step at the FCC, because the full Commission still needs to vote on the order, and then AT&T can either press its case before an Administrative Law Judge or simply withdraw its application. But's it's an important step and a victory for the public interest.

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FCC Chairman Genachowski has just announced that the FCC will vote on an order designating the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile for a hearing. This is a significant setback for AT&T--most mergers that reach this stage end up failing. This isn't the last step at the FCC, because the full Commission still needs to vote on the order, and then AT&T can either press its case before an Administrative Law Judge or simply withdraw its application. But's it's an important step and a victory for the public interest.

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The Sprint Standing Skirmish: AT&T Loses Some Ground, DoJ Gets Road Map Forward.

Any tactician knows that battles can be won or lost by defining the battlefield. Skirmishes like the fight over whether Sprint and C. Spire (formerly Cell South) can go ahead with their private lawsuits against AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile help define the terrain for the bigger fights to come (order here). By ruling on what constitutes a recognizable injury under the antitrust rules and making preliminary determinations about the nature of the market, the Order sets the boundaries of what arguments DoJ can make and what it will need to do to prove its case. Where AT&T manages to have certain market definitions locked in and certain potential injuries excluded as not cognizable under antitrust in these early rounds, it gains an advantage.



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Any tactician knows that battles can be won or lost by defining the battlefield. Skirmishes like the fight over whether Sprint and C. Spire (formerly Cell South) can go ahead with their private lawsuits against AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile help define the terrain for the bigger fights to come (order here). By ruling on what constitutes a recognizable injury under the antitrust rules and making preliminary determinations about the nature of the market, the Order sets the boundaries of what arguments DoJ can make and what it will need to do to prove its case. Where AT&T manages to have certain market definitions locked in and certain potential injuries excluded as not cognizable under antitrust in these early rounds, it gains an advantage. [log] => [revision_timestamp] => 1320586814 [format] => 7 [name] => Harold Feld [picture] => files/pictures/picture-1540.png [data] => a:5:{s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:15:"googleanalytics";a:1:{s:6:"custom";i:1;}s:14:"wysiwyg_status";a:1:{i:7;i:7;}} [path] => blog/sprint-standing-skirmish-att-loses-some-groun [print_display] => 1 [print_display_comment] => 0 [print_display_urllist] => 1 [print_mail_display] => 1 [print_mail_display_comment] => 0 [print_mail_display_urllist] => 1 [print_pdf_display] => 1 [print_pdf_display_comment] => 0 [print_pdf_display_urllist] => 1 [last_comment_timestamp] => 1320424487 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [121] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 121 [vid] => 5 [name] => AT&T [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [154] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 154 [vid] => 5 [name] => Competition [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [173] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 173 [vid] => 5 [name] => Monopoly [description] => [weight] => 0 ) [152] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 152 [vid] => 5 [name] => Wireless [description] => [weight] => 0 ) ) [files] => Array ( ) [iids] => Array ( ) [page_title] => [nodewords] => Array ( [abstract] => Array ( [value] => ) [canonical] => Array ( [value] => ) [copyright] => Array ( [value] => ) [description] => Array ( [value] => ) [keywords] => Array ( [value] => ) [revisit-after] => Array ( [value] => 1 ) [robots] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [noarchive] => 0 [nofollow] => 0 [noindex] => 0 [noodp] => 0 [nosnippet] => 0 [noydir] => 0 ) [use_default] => 0 ) [dc.contributor] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.creator] => Array ( [value] => ) [dc.date] => Array ( [value] => Array ( [month] => 11 [day] => 4 [year] => 2011 ) ) [dc.title] => Array ( [value] => ) [location] => Array ( [latitude] => [longitude] => ) [pics-label] => Array ( [value] => ) ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [#content_extra_fields] => Array ( [title] => Array ( [label] => Title [description] => Node module form. [weight] => -5 ) [body_field] => Array ( [label] => Body [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 0 [view] => body ) [revision_information] => Array ( [label] => Revision information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [author] => Array ( [label] => Authoring information [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 20 ) [options] => Array ( [label] => Publishing options [description] => Node module form. [weight] => 25 ) [comment_settings] => Array ( [label] => Comment settings [description] => Comment module form. [weight] => 30 ) [menu] => Array ( [label] => Menu settings [description] => Menu module form. [weight] => -2 ) [taxonomy] => Array ( [label] => Taxonomy [description] => Taxonomy module form. [weight] => -3 ) [path] => Array ( [label] => Path settings [description] => Path module form. [weight] => 30 ) [attachments] => Array ( [label] => File attachments [description] => Upload module form. [weight] => 30 [view] => files ) [image_attach] => Array ( [label] => Attached images [description] => Image Attach module form. [weight] => 0 ) [itunes] => Array ( [label] => iTunes feed information [description] => iTunes specific information. [weight] => 0 ) [page_title] => Array ( [label] => Page Title [description] => Page Title form. [weight] => -4 ) [path_redirect] => Array ( [label] => URL redirects [description] => Path redirect module listing [weight] => 30 ) [print] => Array ( [label] => Printer, e-mail and PDF versions [description] => Print module form. [weight] => 30 ) [xmlsitemap] => Array ( [label] => XML sitemap [description] => XML sitemap module form [weight] => 30 ) [nodewords] => Array ( [label] => Meta tags [description] => Meta tags fieldset. [weight] => 10 ) ) [#pre_render] => Array ( [0] => content_alter_extra_weights ) [body] => Array ( [#weight] => 0 [#value] =>

Any tactician knows that battles can be won or lost by defining the battlefield. Skirmishes like the fight over whether Sprint and C. Spire (formerly Cell South) can go ahead with their private lawsuits against AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile help define the terrain for the bigger fights to come (order here). By ruling on what constitutes a recognizable injury under the antitrust rules and making preliminary determinations about the nature of the market, the Order sets the boundaries of what arguments DoJ can make and what it will need to do to prove its case. Where AT&T manages to have certain market definitions locked in and certain potential injuries excluded as not cognizable under antitrust in these early rounds, it gains an advantage. [#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

Any tactician knows that battles can be won or lost by defining the battlefield. Skirmishes like the fight over whether Sprint and C. Spire (formerly Cell South) can go ahead with their private lawsuits against AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile help define the terrain for the bigger fights to come (order here). By ruling on what constitutes a recognizable injury under the antitrust rules and making preliminary determinations about the nature of the market, the Order sets the boundaries of what arguments DoJ can make and what it will need to do to prove its case. Where AT&T manages to have certain market definitions locked in and certain potential injuries excluded as not cognizable under antitrust in these early rounds, it gains an advantage. [#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/6353 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of The Sprint Standing Skirmish: AT&T Loses Some Ground, DoJ Gets Road Map Forward.. ) ) ) )

Public Knowledge Pleased With Court Ruling In AT&T Takeover Of T-Mobile

U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle ruled this evening that Sprint and C-Spire may proceed with significant portions of their antitrust cases against AT&T and T-Mobile.


The following is attributed to Gigi B. Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge:

 "We are very pleased that Judge Huvelle will let Sprint and C Spire continue to pursue their antitrust claims in court against AT&T. While not all of the issues the companies wanted to prosecute will be allowed, the ones that will go forward will demonstrate clearly the anticompetitive affects that AT&T's takeover of T-Mobile will have on the wireless industry.

"There is a very high bar for private firm to pursue their own antitrust cases. That Judge Huvelle allowed any of the cases to go forward is an indication of just how serious a matter this is."

Why DoJ's Win Against H&R Block Is Bad News For AT&T/T-Mo.

The Department of Justice Antitrust Division (DoJ) just won its lawsuit to block H&R Block from acquiring its smaller, “maverick” competitor Tax Act. Even with the actual Order sealed for a month to let parties scrub out the trade secrets, a few important things stand out for why this is good news for DoJ in its lawsuit to block AT&T taking over T-Mo. In sports terms, this is like DoJ having a super strong exhibition season going into the regular season of play. While you still need to play the games to see who wins, anyone facing them ought to be worried.

Here are my major takeaways from what we know so far:



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The Department of Justice Antitrust Division (DoJ) just won its lawsuit to block H&R Block from acquiring its smaller, “maverick” competitor Tax Act. Even with the actual Order sealed for a month to let parties scrub out the trade secrets, a few important things stand out for why this is good news for DoJ in its lawsuit to block AT&T taking over T-Mo. In sports terms, this is like DoJ having a super strong exhibition season going into the regular season of play. While you still need to play the games to see who wins, anyone facing them ought to be worried.

Here are my major takeaways from what we know so far:

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The Department of Justice Antitrust Division (DoJ) just won its lawsuit to block H&R Block from acquiring its smaller, “maverick” competitor Tax Act. Even with the actual Order sealed for a month to let parties scrub out the trade secrets, a few important things stand out for why this is good news for DoJ in its lawsuit to block AT&T taking over T-Mo. In sports terms, this is like DoJ having a super strong exhibition season going into the regular season of play. While you still need to play the games to see who wins, anyone facing them ought to be worried.

Here are my major takeaways from what we know so far:

[#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

The Department of Justice Antitrust Division (DoJ) just won its lawsuit to block H&R Block from acquiring its smaller, “maverick” competitor Tax Act. Even with the actual Order sealed for a month to let parties scrub out the trade secrets, a few important things stand out for why this is good news for DoJ in its lawsuit to block AT&T taking over T-Mo. In sports terms, this is like DoJ having a super strong exhibition season going into the regular season of play. While you still need to play the games to see who wins, anyone facing them ought to be worried.

Here are my major takeaways from what we know so far:

[#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/6347 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of Why DoJ's Win Against H&R Block Is Bad News For AT&T/T-Mo.. ) ) ) )

Public Knowledge Heartened By Antitrust Ruling

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, in an antitrust cast brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, ruled yesterday that H&R Block could not purchase another major manufacturer of tax-preparation software.

 The following is attributed to Harold Feld, legal director for Public Knowledge:

 “This case proves that antitrust law is alive, well and relevant to AT&T’s proposed takeover of T-Mobile.  The judge in the H&R Block case ruled that one of the largest companies in a competitive industry could not buy out a competitor, particularly when that competitor is seen as a maverick within that industry.

 “The judge agreed with the Justice Department that a market dominated by the two biggest companies is not sufficiently competitive.  We agree.  Whether the market is tax-filing software or the wireless industry, the principles are the same.

Public Knowledge Disappointed With AT&T Jobs Reply To FCC

Background:  AT&T late yesterday filed a document in response to the FCC’s request for more information on job creation as a result of the company’s takeover of T-Mobile.

 

The following is attributed to Gigi B. Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge:

 “Once again, AT&T is hiding important information behind the veil of secrecy.  The company is spending millions of dollars on TV ads claiming that its takeover of T-Mobile will create 96,000 jobs, but it can’t be bothered to tell the public how those jobs will be created.

“Instead, it continues to file more information under confidentiality restrictions that do nothing to answer the question how AT&T will reverse its trend of cutting 10,000 jobs per year if the takeover goes through.

AT&T Is Right: Comcast Does Not Deserve An "Access Charge Bail Out" As Part of USF Reform

It says something about the messed up world of telecom today that the “Connect America Fund” the FCC will vote on tomorrow has become the “what the heck are we going to do about IP-based interconnection” proceeding. In particular, the rather high-profile spat between AT&T and Comcast (and other cable companies) over access charges illustrates exactly the kind of cosmic cluster#@$! we predicted would happen if the FCC failed to classify broadband as a Title II telecom service.



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It says something about the messed up world of telecom today that the “Connect America Fund” the FCC will vote on tomorrow has become the “what the heck are we going to do about IP-based interconnection” proceeding. In particular, the rather high-profile spat between AT&T and Comcast (and other cable companies) over access charges illustrates exactly the kind of cosmic cluster#@$! we predicted would happen if the FCC failed to classify broadband as a Title II telecom service. 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It says something about the messed up world of telecom today that the “Connect America Fund” the FCC will vote on tomorrow has become the “what the heck are we going to do about IP-based interconnection” proceeding. In particular, the rather high-profile spat between AT&T and Comcast (and other cable companies) over access charges illustrates exactly the kind of cosmic cluster#@$! we predicted would happen if the FCC failed to classify broadband as a Title II telecom service. [#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

It says something about the messed up world of telecom today that the “Connect America Fund” the FCC will vote on tomorrow has become the “what the heck are we going to do about IP-based interconnection” proceeding. In particular, the rather high-profile spat between AT&T and Comcast (and other cable companies) over access charges illustrates exactly the kind of cosmic cluster#@$! we predicted would happen if the FCC failed to classify broadband as a Title II telecom service. [#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( [node_read_more] => Array ( [title] => Read more [href] => node/6329 [attributes] => Array ( [title] => Read the rest of AT&T Is Right: Comcast Does Not Deserve An "Access Charge Bail Out" As Part of USF Reform. ) ) ) )