Media Literacy Project celebrates AT&T dropping its bid to acquire T-Mobile

Today, AT&T issued a statement that it and T-Mobile parent company, Deutsche Telekom, have agreed to drop their merger bid. AT&T halted its hunt for merger approval with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in November after FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski ordered a hearing based on FCC officials’ conclusion that the proposed transaction would diminish competition and create unprecedented consolidation in the wireless industry.

However, until today’s news AT&T was still scheduled to appear before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in February. In August, the DOJ filed an anti-trust suit to block the proposed $39 billion merger on the grounds that it would result in higher prices, poorer quality services, fewer choices and fewer innovative products for American consumers.

Andrea Quijada, the executive director of Media Literacy Project, issued the following comments:

“The end of AT&T’s campaign to eliminate mobile competition and jobs is a gift to working class New Mexican families this holiday season. However, we know that this decision was not the result of AT&T putting people before profit. This result was won by media justice advocates and our allies in New Mexico and nationwide.  Though we are certain this is not the last we’ve heard from AT&T/T-Mobile, we want to take a moment to acknowledge this victory for consumers.

“Keeping T-Mobile as a price anchor amidst rising mobile costs allows poor communities and communities of color to have some peace of mind around the holidays. At this time of year, when people are keeping in touch with loved ones by phone with increased frequency, this news is a reminder of how critical communication is to all of us.

Media Literacy Project is currently serving a two year appointment to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Consumer Advisory Committee.