INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
After months of statements, the biggest challenge yet to T-Mobile and Sprint proposed merger kicks off today in a Manhattan court
The trial is the result of pushback from a coalition of attorneys general of 13 states and the District of Columbia, who have raised flags
over the proposed $26 billion merging of the country third and fourth-largest carriers.
Texas joins growing list of AGs looking to block
T-Mobile/Sprint merger
&Today we stand on the side of meaningful competition and affordable options for consumers,& California Attorney
General Xavier Becerra said in a statement provided to TechCrunch
&Our airwaves belong to the public, who are entitled to more, not less
This merger would hurt the most vulnerable people among us — leaving consumers with fewer choices and higher prices
We&re fighting in court with a 14-state strong coalition for then, and for all Americans, and we&re confident the law is on our side.&
The
AGs contend that such a merger will decrease competition in the U.S
telecom market, by knocking the number of major carriers down to three
T-Mobile and Sprint, on the other hand, have argued that it will do the opposite, suggesting that the companies& pooled powers would better
equip them to take on Verizon and AT-T in the rush to 5G.
FCC approves T-Mobile/Sprint merger despite serious concerns
Over the summer,
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai issued an order essentially arguing with the carriers and suggested the deal move forward
&The evidence conclusively demonstrates that this transaction will bring fast 5G wireless service to many more Americans and help close the
digital divide in rural areas,& he said in August
The trial is expected to last three weeks, per The Wall Street Journal, kicking off with today opening statements
Sprint Chairman Marcelo Claure and soon-to-be-former T-Mobile CEO John Legere will take the stand to make their case against the AGs
