Justice Dept. Files Antitrust Complaint Against AT&T and T-Mobile Merger

Hitting the front page for the first time, AngryDeuce writes with a piece of exciting news hot off the news wire. From the article: "The Justice Department is blocking AT&T's $39 billion deal to buy T-Mobile USA, saying the acquisition of the No. 4 wireless carrier in the country by No. 2 AT&T would reduce competition and raise prices. The deal has faced tough opposition from consumer groups and No. 3 carrier Sprint since it was announced in March." The DOJ has released a full statement on their decision to file the antitrust suit, and AT&T has drafted a response. So much for AT&T's paltry promise of bringing 5000 unskilled call center jobs back to the U.S. if the merger were approved. Competition may yet live!

Comments

+ 5000 jobs, - many more.

[JustAnotherIdiot]

Sure, they'd hire 5000 new people, but how many would they fire from T-mobile in the process?
My money is on a good deal more than 5000.

Re:+ 5000 jobs, - many more.

[yog]

I really hope this deal doesn't go through. T-Mobile is a great carrier. Not enough towers, but their plans are easy going and their customer service is top notch. I just added 2G of internet for my wife's phone, plus a few more anytime minutes, for $5 a month more. Now I just need to get her an Android phone so she can actually use it. T-Mo has good plans with and without contracts. Plus, they allow tethering for no extra charge, unlike Verizon and, I believe, AT&T. I just hope T-Mo can stay independent for a few more years until some other technology takes over, like VOIP over wimax.

Hallelujah

[Jeng]

If I wanted AT&T as my service provider I would have subscribed to their service.

If you have to buy customers perhaps it's time to change ones business strategy.

Re:AT&T's Response

[UnknowingFool]

AT&T doublespeak. Yes they met with the DoJ and the DoJ gave no indication that they would block the ruling. However it most likely the DoJ had not formed an opinion until after reviewing the implications and AT&T's documents. Or that the DoJ probably wanted to block it from the beginning but prudence would dictate they hear from AT&T first. If they hadn't met with AT&T, then the company would complain that they were being treated unfairly.

Re:From the TFA

[krbvroc1]

It makes sense. Think about all the business that T-Mobile lost while this thing was pending. People did not renew, some people did not switch to T-Mobile due to the uncertainty, etc. If it DOESN'T go through, T-Mobile needs to be compensated for that loss.

Re:Yet more Slashdot hypocrisy

[h4rr4r]

Not all slashdotters believe the same thing. For instance I think libertarians are either woefully naive, liars, or morons. I applaud the government taking action to ensure the cellular service market does not become a duopoly.

Re:Well I think you're a fucking asshole

[h4rr4r]

I never made such a claim. Again you act as though as all slashdot posts come from one person.

The government is not coming for me, as far as I can tell, and if it did I would defend myself in court. Government is needed and all functional societies have one.

Re:Well I think you're a fucking asshole

[brkello]

I think you fall under his moron category. Three felonies a day? Give me a break. You have gone off the deep end.