AAI, Other Groups Urge 2019 House Hearings on T-Mobile/Sprint
Incoming Democratic-led House Commerce and Judiciary committees (see 1811280058) should hold hearings next year on T-Mobile's proposed purchase of Sprint, the American Antitrust Institute, Public Knowledge and 12 other groups wrote to the committees' likely incoming chairmen. House Commerce ranking…
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member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and House Judiciary ranking member Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., are both near certain to lead their respective committees (see 1811070053 and 1811070054). The Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee probed the deal in June (see 1806270068). Pallone and House Communications Subcommittee ranking member Mike Doyle, D-Pa., wrote committee leaders in April urging a hearing (see 1804300057). The groups urged Pallone to “now announce your intent to schedule” a hearing that will “explore the merged entity’s foreign ownership; whether 5G deployment is helped by the proposed merger, despite the fact that both T-Mobile and Sprint have invested in 5G already; and the state of wireless competition.” The groups told Nadler that setting hearing “would be an excellent first step to implementing your vision for stronger antitrust enforcement, protecting consumers, promoting competition, and standing up for American workers.” Doyle signaled his interest in an interview ahead of the AAI-led letter. “It's not a bad idea to have a hearing and give members a chance to understand the merger better,” including “benefits and drawbacks,” he said. The FCC plans to restart the 180-day shot clock for review Dec. 4, at Day 55 (see 1811130051). DOJ and state regulators are continuing to review the deal. The companies didn't immediately comment.