AT&T and T-Mobile: Wireless megamerger (roundup)

The No. 2 and No. 4 wireless carriers announce a $39 billion merger deal that would create a company with nearly 130 million subscribers, easily leapfrogging Verizon Wireless for the No. 1 spot.

CNET News staff

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CNET News staff

Dec. 1, 2011 12:56 p.m. PT

11 min read

The No. 2 and No. 4 wireless carriers announce a $39 billion merger deal that would create a company with nearly 130 million subscribers, easily leapfrogging Verizon Wireless for the No. 1 spot.

AT&T to FCC: You're totally 'one-sided' on T-Mobile deal

Carrier accuses federal regulators of "cherry-picking" some facts, and ignoring others, to push its view that the merger with T-Mobile USA would be bad for the nation.
(Posted in Wireless by Roger Cheng)
December 1, 2011 10:22 AM PDT

AT&T and Deutsche Telekom discuss a plan B?

The Wall Street Journal reports that AT&T is talking to Deutsche Telekom about forming a joint venture in case AT&T's $39 billion bid to buy T-Mobile is rejected by regulators.
So what's T-Mobile's backup plan?
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
November 30, 2011 2:42 PM PST

FCC report slams AT&T's takeover of T-Mobile

Regulators say the proposed $39 billion wireless megamerger would lead to huge job losses and less competition. AT&T calls the decision to release the report "troubling."
(Posted in Mobile by Steven Musil)
November 29, 2011 11:10 PM PST

AT&T hopes Leap deal will enable T-Mobile buy: report

The carrier hopes to ease regulatory objections to its T-Mobile acquisition by selling assets to a second-tier wireless operator, the New York Times says.
(Posted in Deep Tech by Stephen Shankland)
November 29, 2011 1:12 AM PST

AT&T and T-Mobile merger madness recap (FAQ)

A lot has happened regarding AT&T's $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile. This CNET FAQ will get you up to speed on what happened--and what it all means.
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
November 28, 2011 3:29 PM PST

AT&T readies a Hail Mary pass on T-Mobile--report

AT&T could offer to divest as much of 40% of T-Mobile in order to win approval for its beleaguered acquisition, Bloomberg reports.
(Posted in Mobile by David Hamilton)
November 25, 2011 2:59 PM PST

AT&T to take $4 billion charge to cover possible T-Mobile breakup fee

AT&T says it will take fourth-quarter charge to cover possible breakup fee, and withdraws application to FCC. But the pending deal's not dead just yet.
(Posted in Signal Strength by Edward Moyer)
November 24, 2011 9:16 AM PST

How long will AT&T fight for T-Mobile?

AT&T's $39 billion deal to buy T-Mobile looks like it's dead. So how long will AT&T hang on?
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
November 22, 2011 5:25 PM PST

States join feds in opposing AT&T's T-Mobile buy

Seven state attorneys general have joined the U.S. Department of Justice in its opposition to AT&T's efforts to acquire T-Mobile USA.
(Posted in Wireless by Roger Cheng)
September 16, 2011 1:00 PM PDT

States join feds in opposing AT&T's T-Mobile buy

Sprint files suit to block AT&T's T-Mobile merger

Opposition is building against the acquisition deal that Sprint and other critics say would create a wireless "duopoly" and spell bad news for consumers.
(Posted in Wireless by Eric Mack)
September 6, 2011 10:12 AM PDT

Deutsche Telekom: We are entitled to a breakup fee

The German telecommunications giant says it would get a breakup fee if AT&T's planned acquisition of T-Mobile USA falls through.
T-Mobile may miss out on AT&T break-up fee, report says
(Posted in Wireless by Roger Cheng)
September 6, 2011 7:49 AM PDT

AT&T fighting to save T-Mobile deal

AT&T is expected to offer some proposals to move forward with its acquisition of T-Mobile in the wake of the DOJ's attempt to block the deal.
(Posted in Wireless by Lance Whitney)
September 2, 2011 5:59 AM PDT

T-Mobile sans AT&T faces big 4G gap

The Department of Justice wants T-Mobile USA to remain a "maverick" competitor, but can the No. 4 player stand on its own two feet without a 4G strategy?
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
September 1, 2011 4:00 AM PDT

Justice Dept. to block AT&T's T-Mobile deal

In its lawsuit, the federal government says the deal would hurt competition and reduce innovation in the wireless industry.
• Why the DOJ means business on AT&T and T-Mobile
• PDF: DOJ's lawsuit
Text of DOJ statement
• ZDNet: Fallout from DOJ suit
(Posted in Wireless by Don Reisinger)
August 31, 2011 7:53 AM PDT

AT&T promises 5,000 new jobs after T-Mobile merger

The company says workers will be needed to fill call center jobs if the deal is approved. And then the Justice Department steps in to try to block the deal.
(Posted in Wireless by Don Reisinger)
August 31, 2011 7:33 AM PDT

AT&T gets merger support from a key lawmaker

Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee is getting behind AT&T for its deal to acquire T-Mobile USA.
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
August 3, 2011 4:23 PM PDT

States weigh in on AT&T-T-Mobile merger

A number of state governments have voiced an opinion on the proposed merger between T-Mobile and AT&T. Most are in favor, but a few are expressing concern.
AT&T/T-Mobile merger finds more support in the states
(Posted in Dialed In by Kent German)
August 2, 2011 5:44 PM PDT

On Call: What we'd really lose in an AT&T-T-Mobile merger

Though critics charge that a merger between AT&T and T-Mobile will lead to higher prices and reduce customer choice, there are bigger, and less tangible, issues at stake.
(Posted in Dialed In by Kent German)
July 28, 2011 2:18 PM PDT

AT&T offers more data to FCC for T-Mobile deal

AT&T has filed additional data with the FCC to support its claims that its proposed $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile will benefit consumers.
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
July 26, 2011 8:09 AM PDT

Senate antitrust leader opposes AT&T/T-Mobile merger

Sen. Herb Kohl, the head of the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, wants regulators to block AT&T's $39 billion bid to buy T-Mobile USA.
AT&T customers try to block merger with T-Mobile
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
July 20, 2011 11:29 AM PDT

States subpoena Sprint over AT&T-T-Mobile merger

As it continues to fight against the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile, attorneys general in nine states have subpoenaed the carrier in conjunction with antitrust reviews.
(Posted in Dialed In by Kent German)
July 12, 2011 12:43 PM PDT

T-Mobile responds to opponents of AT&T merger

T-Mobile responded Tuesday to filings and comments made by opponents of the $39 billion deal to merge with AT&T.
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
June 21, 2011 3:39 PM PDT

NY State commission cautions FCC on AT&T-T-Mobile merger

In a letter to the FCC, the New York State Public Service Commission says that New York consumers will be significantly and disproportionally affected by the merger.
Sprint counters AT&T's spectrum claims
(Posted in Dialed In by Kent German)
June 20, 2011 2:29 PM PDT

Despite looming buyout, T-Mobile powers on

T-Mobile may be prepping for an AT&T buyout, but the carrier remains just as active as ever in releasing new smartphones, tablets, and services until the FCC makes its call.
(Posted in Dialed In by Jessica Dolcourt)
June 16, 2011 11:27 AM PDT

Civil rights groups line up behind AT&T-T-Mobile

AT&T is getting support from all corners for its bid for T-Mobile, even from groups like GLAAD, the NAACP, and the Sierra Club.
(Posted in Dialed In by Kent German)
June 15, 2011 12:08 PM PDT

Sprint the winner if AT&T absorbs T-Mobile?

commentary Sprint has done a better job than any other provider of firmly anchoring itself as a low-cost option. It's also done a better job of improving customer service.
(Posted in (Posted in Wireless by Roger Entner)
June 6, 2011 5:39 AM PDT

AT&T: Support growing for T-Mobile merger

The carrier says that major groups including the AFL-CIO and NAACP, along with 15 state governors, are giving a thumbs-up to its proposed takeover of T-Mobile USA.
(Posted in The Digital Home by Don Reisinger)
June 3, 2011 8:16 AM PDT

Sprint asks FCC to block AT&T, T-Mobile merger

In an official filing before the Federal Communications Commission, Sprint claims that the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile has "no public interest."
(Posted in Dialed In by Kent German)
May 31, 2011 2:08 PM PDT

AT&T to Congress: T-Mobile buy good for consumers

The phone giant's CEO defends the proposed acquisition to lawmakers, who question the company about market concentration and potential job losses.
(Posted in Wireless by Jay Greene)
May 26, 2011 9:54 AM PDT

For AT&T merger, Sprint dusts off its Christmas list

Sprint recently asked Congress to block the AT&T-T-Mobile merger because of its impact on competition for cellular backhaul. But the merger has nothing to do with backhaul--only on Sprint's bottom line.
(Posted in Wireless by Larry Downes)
May 25, 2011 4:00 AM PDT

Report: AT&T pays $6B if T-Mobile deal fails

If the acquisition collapses, the carrier would be forced to fork over cash, services, and assets worth $6 billion to T-Mobile USA parent Deutsche Telekom, according to Reuters.
(Posted in The Digital Home by Don Reisinger)
May 13, 2011 7:03 AM PDT

AT&T defends T-Mobile deal to U.S. Senate

AT&T didn't find many allies at U.S. Senate hearing, where politicians claimed the proposed $39 billion deal would lead to less competition and create a mobile "duopoly."
(Posted in Wireless by Declan McCullagh)
May 11, 2011 10:34 AM PDT

Is AT&T a wireless spectrum hog?

Without T-Mobile's spectrum, AT&T says its customers will experience more dropped calls and slower data connections, but AT&T already has more spectrum than any other carrier. How much is enough?
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
April 29, 2011 4:00 AM PDT

AT&T files merger papers with FCC

AT&T filed official paperwork with the Federal Communications Commission that announces its intention to acquire T-Mobile and its spectrum licenses.
• Video: What consumers think about AT&T and T-Mobile merging
(Posted in Dialed In by Kent German)
April 21, 2011 4:24 PM PT

FCC begins review of AT&T's T-Mobile bid

The agency is ready to formally look into how the proposed $39 billion merger might affect competition, while the Justice Department considers antitrust issues.
T-Mobile undercuts rivals on 'unlimited' plan
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
April 14, 2011 10:53 AM PDT

Ask Maggie: AT&T to cut T-Mobile Wi-Fi call feature?

In this week's column Maggie answers another question about the AT&T and T-Mobile deal. Also: Why Samsung is slow in sending Android updates, and advice to a Boost Mobile customer.
Ask Maggie: Will AT&T ax T-Mobile phones?
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
April 8, 2011 4:00 AM PDT

New York to scrutinize AT&T's T-Mobile deal

The state's attorney general plans to analyze the proposed merger to ensure that it doesn't harm New York wireless consumers.
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
March 29, 2011 11:12 a.m. PT

Sprint to fight AT&T-T-Mobile merger

Sprint, the No. 3 wireless provider in the U.S., says the merger would undo nearly three decades of work by the U.S. government to modernize the telecom sector and open markets to competition.
(Posted in Dialed In by Bonnie Cha)
March 28, 2011 1:30 p.m. PT

MetroPCS to focus on Android, LTE

AT&T and T-Mobile's merger would put the nation's fifth largest carrier in the No. 4 position. We asked MetroPCS what that might mean for it, and what its plans are.
(Posted in CTIA 2011 by Jessica Dolcourt)
March 25, 2011 8:39 a.m. PT

Ask Maggie: Can I cancel T-Mobile post-AT&T merger?

This week CNET mobile maven Maggie Reardon offers her perspective on whether disgruntled T-Mobile customers will be able to cancel their contracts if the feds OK the acquisition.
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
March 25, 2011 4:00 a.m. PT

What does the AT&T-T-Mobile merger mean to you?

faq In a nutshell, consumers will have fewer choices when it comes to wireless service. But current AT&T and T-Mobile customers may experience improved service quality.
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
March 23, 2011 4:00 a.m. PT

Wireless CEOs spar onstage at CTIA

Chief executives of AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint are forced to discuss the elephant in the room: AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA.
Audi signs T-Mobile, gets AT&T
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
March 22, 2011 8:17 a.m. PT

What would AT&T, T-Mobile deal mean for Sprint?

Sprint Nextel may find it difficult to compete on its own if the deal between AT&T and T-Mobile is eventually approved by regulators.
Sprint: Google Voice deal 'extremely important'
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
March 21, 2011 9:56 p.m. PT

Watch this: AT&T plans to buy T-Mobile

01:25

AT&T: Buying T-Mobile speeds LTE shift in U.S.

Facing regulatory scrutiny, AT&T argues that buying T-Mobile USA will bring next-gen mobile networks to more Americans at a quicker clip and make the United States more competitive.
Study: Verizon fastest among 4G networks
(Posted in Deep Tech by Stephen Shankland)
March 21, 2011 7:52 a.m. PDT

T-Mobile acquisition may face regulatory hurdles

No. 2 AT&T's $39 billion proposed acquisition of No. 4 T-Mobile USA may make sense from a technology perspective, but the companies are likely to face scrutiny from regulators.
(Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon)
March 20, 2011 6:02 p.m. PT

AT&T and T-Mobile: Good for whom?

analysis AT&T announces it will acquire T-Mobile for $39 billion. Though the carrier is preaching nothing but upsides for T-Mobile customers, I'm not so sure.
• Video: What consumers think about AT&T and T-Mobile merging
(Posted in Dialed In by Kent German)
March 20, 2011 8:09 p.m. PT

AT&T and T-Mobile--listen before you judge

analysis Consumer advocates have already condemned the AT&T and T-Mobile USA as "unthinkable." But Larry Downes argues jumping to conclusions doesn't help anyone, especially consumers.
(Posted in Signal Strength by Larry Downes)
March 20, 2011 6:02 p.m. PT

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