Group says AT&T/T-Mobile merger bad for mobile app makers

Allowing AT&T to purchase T-Mobile would give two firms too much control over the market for mobile software applications and services, according to the Computer and Communications Industry Association.

CCIA President Edward Black said that the deal would hurt the entire Internet ecosystem by giving AT&T the ability to block innovation in the wireless marketplace. Aside from app makers, Black said the merger would also negatively affect handset makers, who would have fewer potential buyers for their wares. However, unlike app developers, which are often small firms, he said handset makers are large and have shown leverage against carriers in the past.