House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Cicilline (D-RI) Criticizes FCC’s Rush to Approve T-Mobile’s Proposed Merger with Sprint, Calls for Additional Public Input

House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David Cicilline (D-RI) sent a letter criticizing the Federal Communications Commission for rushing to approve the Sprint and T-Mobile merger. In July, the Justice Department announced a settlement with the merging parties that includes substantial changes to the transaction as originally proposed. Despite these changes, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai circulated a draft order Aug 14 behind closed doors to approve the merger without providing for additional public comment on how these changes to the deal will affect competition or the public interest. “There is no urgency to forgo an opportunity for additional public comment," Chairman Cicilline wrote.  "The proposed transaction has been challenged in court by a bipartisan coalition of 16 state attorneys general, which have raised concerns that the merger will result in higher prices and reduced quality...I urge the Commission to protect the public’s opportunity to comment on the merits of the proposed merger as modified by the Department’s proposed settlement.”