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Almost three months to the day since AT&T first announced its $39 million bid for T-Mobile, federal scrutiny of the deal is well underway. AT&T has filed its paperwork with the Federal Communications Commission, the public is weighing in the FCC's Web site, and opponents are supporters are lining up.
Though the U.S. Senate has held hearings as well, only the Department of Justice and the FCC have the official power to approve or deny the merger. AT&T does not have to seek formal approval at the state level, but state governments can make the transaction more complicated if they bring antitrust lawsuits or pass on negative feedback to the FCC. And as CNET's Maggie Reardon has reported, states have extensive oversight over communications through the regulation of rates, cell tower placement, and consumer complaints.
That's why it doesn't hurt for AT&T to lobby for the merger not only in Washington, D.C., but also in state capitols across the country (the carrier has even gotten into a tussle with Sprint over a possible state review in West Virgina). And at the time of this writing, AT&T has been successful. Though three states are taking a closer look, 17 state governors have voiced their approval. We'll add to this list as events unfold, but here's how the state are lining up so far.
Those in favor
And those taking a closer look
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Though the U.S. Senate has held hearings as well, only the Department of Justice and the FCC have the official power to approve or deny the merger. AT&T does not have to seek formal approval at the state level, but state governments can make the transaction more complicated if they bring antitrust lawsuits or pass on negative feedback to the FCC. And as CNET's Maggie Reardon has reported, states have extensive oversight over communications through the regulation of rates, cell tower placement, and consumer complaints.
That's why it doesn't hurt for AT&T to lobby for the merger not only in Washington, D.C., but also in state capitols across the country (the carrier has even gotten into a tussle with Sprint over a possible state review in West Virgina). And at the time of this writing, AT&T has been successful. Though three states are taking a closer look, 17 state governors have voiced their approval. We'll add to this list as events unfold, but here's how the state are lining up so far.
Those in favor
And those taking a closer look
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