Verizon Deal Critics To Launch Coalition

Critics of Verizon Wireless' proposed acquisition of spectrum from a group of cable companies are launching a new coalition to try to block the deal or at least get the Federal Communications Commission to impose conditions to make it more palatable. Many of the same groups that joined forces to lobby against AT&T's now-failed bid to acquire T-Mobile USA will be part of the loose-knit coalition targeting the Verizon-cable deal. The coalition, which is expected to be unveiled early next week, is being led by the Glen Echo Group, which helped organize opposition to the AT&T-T-Mobile deal. The coalition is expected to include public interest groups such as Public Knowledge and smaller rivals that have voiced concern with the deal including Sprint and the Rural Cellular Association, which wants conditions imposed on the deal, as well as T-Mobile, which has called on the FCC to block the deal.