Washington, D.C. – The Rural Telecommunications Group, Inc. (RTG), which represents the country’s smallest rural broadband providers, today thanked Christine Varney, Assistant Attorney General, for her public service, and the legacy of commitment to marketplace competition with which she leaves the Department of Justice.

“Assistant Attorney General Varney has been thoughtful and thorough in giving proposed large horizontal mergers the intense scrutiny they require,” said Caressa Bennet, General Counsel of RTG “and we fully expect the Antitrust Division to continue that policy as it reviews AT&T’s proposed takeover of T-Mobile.”

RTG is encouraged by Varney’s statement that the proposed merger will “receive the same level of attention” by the DOJ after her departure. The elimination of T-Mobile from the marketplace not only removes a viable nationwide competitor but it disproportionally impacts rural consumers who are left with fewer choices.

“The rigorous antitrust review process will continue forward, and importantly, must remain free of outside influence or interference,” continued Bennet. “We are confident that after the DOJ thoroughly reviews the proposed transaction, it will be readily apparent that the deal violates antitrust law and must be rejected.”

About RTG – Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Rural Telecommunications Group, Inc. (RTG) is a trade association representing rural wireless carriers who each serve less than 100,000 subscribers. RTG’s members have joined together to speed delivery of new, efficient and innovative telecommunications technologies to remote and underserved communities. ruraltelecomgroup.org @RTGwireless

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