6 Senators Call on FCC, DOJ to Reject T-Mobile/Sprint Merger, Seek Public Comment

Following Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai’s statement indicating he will recommend approval of the proposed merger between T-Mobile and Sprint, Sens Tom Udall (D-NM), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) called on the FCC and the Department of Justice to reject the merger and to open a 30-day public comment period on the proposal.

“We are concerned that this four-to-three merger does not serve the public interest and would result in substantial anticompetitive effects, harming consumers, workers, and innovation,” wrote the Sens in a letter to Chairman Pai and Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim. “Among other issues, the behavioral conditions and voluntary commitments offered are filled with loopholes, lack meaningful enforcement mechanisms, and do not come close to ameliorating the negative effects that a reduction in wireless competition would cause for consumers across the country, including the wholesale and prepaid markets." "We request that the FCC let in light on T-Mobile’s substantially revised merger plans and allow for a 30-day comment period so that interested parties may evaluate T-Mobile and Sprint’s proposals."