UPDATE Four more states have joined the effort by state attorneys general to stop T-Mobile’s acquisition of Sprint, a New York official said at a court hearing on Friday. The addition of Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Nevada in an amended complaint, brings the number of states fighting against the transaction to 14.
Ten state attorneys general, led by New York and California and including the District of Columbia, filed a lawsuit on June 11 aimed at stopping the purchase by the number three U.S. wireless operator T-Mobile, of number four, Sprint.
The AGs say the deal would lessen competition, raise prices for consumers, and cost thousands their jobs.
T-Mobile, Sprint and the states during a hearing on Friday, agreed to a trial date of October 7. A trial could last two to three weeks, reported The Hill.
The Republican majority FCC Commissioners have indicated they’re prepared to approve the transaction, and the Justice Department is expected to weigh in soon.
U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero signaled the case could be affected if the DOJ, which is not involved in the lawsuit, decides to intervene, reported Reuters. “The elephant not in the room is the Justice Department,” Marrero said, referring to his courtroom. “Either way, it is likely to affect what is on the table.”
June 24, 2019
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