T-Mobile goes rogue against AT&T

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In the months since its proposed marriage with AT&T fell apart, T-Mobile USA has re-emerged as a feisty antagonist to its bigger rival.

T-Mobile was sidelined on telecom policy fights while the blockbuster deal was pending. It had to step back from its positions on policy issues that were at odds with those of its suitor. Merger opponents decried the potential loss of T-Mobile as an AT&T competitor, both for customers and for the minds of regulators and lawmakers. Now, T-Mobile no longer has any reason to stay quiet. It won’t always win policy battles — and, in fact, it doesn’t always disagree with AT&T on issues. But the company once again is an opposing force to AT&T on some matters that Congress and the Federal Communications Commission must take into account. It’s a “return of a competitive voice,” said Joel Kelsey, political adviser to the consumer advocacy group Free Press. “We don’t have enough of them, so it’s great to see them re-engaging on the issues that are important for the wireless marketplace.”


T-Mobile goes rogue against AT&T