Leap Wireless opposes AT&T bid to buy T-Mobile

Leap Wireless said that it opposes AT&T’s $39 billion bid for T-Mobile, saying the merger would harm consumers because it would reduce competition and put too much power into the hands of just two wireless carriers.

Specifically, the company points out that about 90 percent of pre-tax earnings for the wireless industry would go to AT&T and Verizon Wireless. That would leave smaller regional carriers such as Leap with a harder time competing against those giants in buying more spectrum for future broadband networks. It would also give them a harder shot at attracting the best partnerships with companies such as Apple for the iPhone. The remarks come before a second congressional hearing on the merger.