Why AT&T Can't Cut A Deal With Rivals

[Commentary] The latest AT&T ploy to convince the gullible that it’s planned acquisition of T-Mobile remains TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY ON TRACK and that everyone should just ignore the minor little tiff it has with the Department of Justice (and 7 State Attorneys General) involves pretending to pick potential rivals as recipients of any divestiture agreement. I say “pretending” because AT&T has either conveniently forgotten that such transfers need FCC approval or has reassured everyone involved that the FCC will rubberrstamp any settlement AT&T negotiates. Alternatively, AT&T’s frantic “outreach” to potential buyers is solely for theatrical effect so it can claim to be in “negotiations” with “interested parties.” In any case, AT&T’s claims to be negotiating such settlements should be greeted with a healthy dose of skepticism.