7 States Back DOJ in Opposing AT&T Merger

Attorneys general from California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington have all come out in support of the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit to block AT&T from acquiring T-Mobile.

The Justice Department has argued that the $39 billion merger would limit competition in an already concentrated industry and ultimately harm consumers. Many of the attorneys general who spoke out against the merger also quoted anti-competition as their primary concern. —BF

International Business Times:

Below is what their attorney generals have said:

New York: This proposed merger would stifle competition in markets that are crucial to New York’s consumers and businesses, while reducing access to low-cost options and the newest broadband-based technologies.

Ohio: The proposed transaction threatens to substantially lessen competition for mobile wireless providers across the United States, resulting in poorer quality services, fewer consumer choices and ultimately, higher prices.

California: Our review of the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile has led me to conclude that it would hinder competition and reduce consumer choice.

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