Almost three months to the day since AT&'T first announced its $39 billion bid for T-Mobile, federal scrutiny of the deal is well under way. AT&'T has filed its paperwork with the Federal Communications Commission, the public is weighing in on the FCC's Web site, and opponents and 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
table.geekbox th{background-color:99CCFF'text-align:left'font-weight:bold'} table{width:100%'} table.geekbox tr.even{background-color:CCCCCC'} .ratingGood{color:093'} .ratingAverage{color:666'} .ratingBad{color:C00'} Action taken Who sent it Date Arkansas Letter to FCC (All letters are in PDF format) Gov. Mike Beebe (D) May 23 Colorado Letter to FCC Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) May 27 Delaware Letter to FCC Gov. Jack Markell (D) June 8 Georgia Letter to FCC Gov. Nathan Deal (R) May 17 Idaho Letter to FCC Gov. C.L. Otter (R) May 17 Iowa Letter to FCC Gov. Terry Branstad (R) May 26 Kentucky Letter to FCC Gov. Steve Beshear (D) May 26 Louisiana Letter to FCC Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) May 19 Maine Letter to FCC Gov. Paul LePage (R) May 19 Michigan Letter to FCC Gov. Rick Snyder (R) May 19 Nevada Letter to FCC Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) May 27 North Carolina Letter to FCC Gov. Beverly Perdue (D) May 31 Ohio Letter to FCC Gov. John Kasich (R) June 9 Oklahoma Letter to FCC Gov. Mary Fallin (R) May 16 South Carolina Letter to FCC Gov. Nikki Haley (R) May 21 Tennessee Letter to FCC Gov. Bill Haslam (R) May 27 Texas Letter to FCC Gov. Rick Perry (R) May 25And those taking a closer look
table.geekbox th{background-color:99CCFF'text-align:left'font-weight:bold'} table{width:100%'} table.geekbox tr.even{background-color:CCCCCC'} .ratingGood{color:093'} .ratingAverage{color:666'} .ratingBad{color:C00'} Action taken Next steps California By a 3-2 vote on June 9, the California Public Utilities Commission decided to investigate the deal and its effects on the state's consumers and economy. The commission will ask for more information from AT&'T directly, and it will hold a series of public hearings around the state. It then plans to issue its findings by October, which is when the FCC has promised to vote on the matter. Louisiana Though Gov. Bobby Jindal is firmly behind the deal, the state's Public Service Commission said last month that it will seek public comment on the merger, though it will not be conducting its own investigation. The commission will present its findings to the FCC and make a recommendation. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on March 29 that his office would "undertake a thorough review of AT&'T's acquisition of T-Mobile" and analyze the merger for "potential anticompetitive effects on consumers and businesses." Schneiderman's office has yet to announce what's next.Discuss Add this link to... Bury
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