AT&T CEO: Optimistic Obama's Pro-Business Stance Will Help Deal

AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson said he is seeing "good signs" from a more pro-business stance from the White House, which he expects will be conducive to approving his deal with T-Mobile USA.

AT&T's proposed plan to buy T-Mobile from Deutsche Telekom AG for $39 billion is expected to face heavy scrutiny from regulators and opposition from consumer advocacy groups and rivals. But Stephenson said that over the past few months, President Barack Obama has shown more of a willingness to work with businesses. He added he was encouraged by Obama's push to cover the nation with a mobile broadband network. Stephenson said he doesn't know what the net impact on jobs will be from the deal, but said that these kinds of deals lead to cuts from redundant operations. Over the long term, he sees more hiring as the company invests in wireless. Stephenson said the deal with DT could yield better roaming rates for its customers going to Europe. DT, which will be AT&T's largest shareholder after the deal closes, is working to get roaming rates at a predictable level.