“We applaud Representative Conyers for announcing today his opposition to the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile which would increase prices, limit choice, decrease quality and stifle innovation. As I have said before, November 4, 2008, the day the FCC approved the Alltel/Verizon merger under FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, was the first day the United States wireless market ceased to be competitive. The market has failed and T-Mobile’s decision to sell only confirms it. AT&T’s claim that acquiring T-Mobile will extend AT&T’s geographic reach is simply not true as their networks almost entirely overlap. Additionally, AT&T’s claim that its takeover of T-Mobile will extend wireless services to rural America is not believable. After all, AT&T already has a surplus of spectrum and the reach and resources to serve rural America. Let me be clear – AT&T’s goal is to eliminate competition, not to improve the reach and quality of its service.”
