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Congressmen Ed Markey and John Conyers Jr. have joined consumer activist groups to voice concerns about AT&T's buyout of T-Mobile USA at a Tuesday press conference.
"The AT&T, T–Mobile deal is like a telecommunications time machine that would send consumers back to a bygone era of high prices and limited choice," Rep. Markey said. "This would be a historic mistake."
Rep. Conyers said: "There is every likelihood that the proposed acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T could lead to both higher prices and decreased consumer choices ...and would cut jobs."
Consumer groups opposed to the merger include Public Knowledge; Consumers Union; Free Press; and the Media Access Project. Not all consumers agree, however. AT&T's promise to expand in underserved, rural areas is convincing groups like the NAACP, AFL-CIO and others to support the deal; the Communications Workers of America (CWA) say it would allow T-Mobile's employees to get union jobs.
AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson (pictured) is lobbying furiously to convince lawmakers, and has announced that nine state governors support the merger.
The FCC and Department of Justice are reviewing the deal.
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