Louisiana approves AT&T/T-Mobile

The Louisiana Public Service Commission voted 4-1 to approve AT&T's proposed $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile USA, making it the second state to approve the deal with three other reviews still ongoing.

A staff report from last week argues the opposition comments filed by Sprint are largely focused on national issues currently being weighed by the Federal Communications and Department of Justice, not Louisiana-specific issues that would justify the state blocking the merger.

"Staff is confident the FCC and DOJ, with their expansive resources and expertise on those matters, will perform a thorough review of Sprints (sic) concerns regarding the impact this acquisition may have on a national level," the report states. The Louisiana Commission is empowered to reject AT&T's filing if it is found to be against the public interest, but the staff report argues the deal will result in at least $8 billion in investments, some of which will be in Louisiana, along with increased rural broadband coverage and new jobs in the state thanks to AT&T's pledge to deploy next-generation wireless broadband nationwide.

"While Staff understands that Sprint disagrees with these contentions, the Joint Reply Comments contain a commitment to that affect," the report states. "Staff also notes that the proposed acquisition has received overriding support locally, as is evidence by the diverse number of groups and officials who are in support." Hawaii, California, and West Virginia are still conducting reviews of the merger.