FCC hears from AT&T supporters, opponents

Microsoft, for instance, decided to file in favor of the merger in what could be an important counterargument to concerns that the merger could harm the tech industry.

Meanwhile, the leading opponents included public interest groups, third-largest wireless carrier Sprint and regional carriers. The groups say the deal could raise prices by eliminating a low-cost competitor. 

Sprint sent in a lengthy filing in which it asked the FCC to outright block the merger. “A duopoly would hurt America’s economic growth,” Sprint said, referring to the potential dominance of current market-leader Verizon and a scaled up AT&T that would become the country’s largest wireless carrier. 

Labor groups filed in support of the merger since AT&T has a unionized workforce. “Overall, this merger, with regulatory oversight, will be a positive development for high speed broadband buildout, quality jobs, innovation and consumer benefits and in maintaining competition,” the Communications Workers of American said. 

Some groups appeared to file largely in order to provide political ammo to either side, jumping into the fray despite a lack of any real involvement in telecom policy, a customary aspect of merger debates. For instance, the Sierra Club, an environmental group, recently voiced strong support for the merger despite ordinary focusing on environmental policy.