The Wall Street Journal recently delved further into the issue of AT&T’s proposed purchase of T-Mobile, a move, if approved, it would effectively reduce competition in the mobile industry and slash the number of major US carriers to just three. Speaking with the publication, an anonymous official at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expressed pessimism about the proposal, saying that the chances of AT&T convincing the FCC chairman to sanction its planned $39 billion purchase of T-Mobile USA are not necessarily high. “There’s no way the chairman’s office rubber-stamps this transaction. It will be a steep climb to say the least,” the FCC official told the WSJ. AT&T at the opposite end of the spectrum is putting forward a very confident public face, offering one sanguine comment after the next about the pending deal. “We understand that Congress, the DOJ, the FCC, as well as wireless consumers will have questions about the transaction. We look forward to answering and addressing those questions,” said AT&T spokesman Michael Balmoris. “We are confident that the facts will demonstrate that the deal is in the public interest and that competition will continue to flourish.” Just this past Tuesday, Julius Genachowski, the FCC Chaiman, reiterated his agency’s commitment “to encouraging a competitive marketplace.” “While we’re still working through details of a data-roaming framework, I believe the core proposition is beyond dispute: healthy competition produces greater innovation and investment, lower prices, and better service,” Genachowski said, although neither he or his fellow FCC commissioners have formally commented on the record about AT&T’s proposed takeover. If AT&T has it’s way, it will acquire T-Mobile and consequently become the largest wireless carrier in the nation with a whopping estimated 130 million subscribers. Given the magnitude of that possible reality, many industry analysts believe it could take up to a year for the FCC to reach an ultimate decision on the pending deal. What do you think of the deal going through? Do you think the FCC will approve it? Are you excited for the possibility of such a merger? Share your thoughts and comments below! As usual, stay tuned by following us on our new Facebook, Twitter, and/or subscribing to our RSS feed. [Source: WSJ] Authors:

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