AT&T: T-mobile merger will help mitigate spectrum crunch

{mosads}”Rather than substantially reducing competition, the combined firm will usher in more intense competition to an already vibrantly competitive market,” AT&T said in its filing. 

“While acknowledging the importance of merger efficiencies in enhancing competition in its Merger Guidelines, the Department of Justice’s Complaint fails to come to grips with the significant efficiencies this transaction will generate.”

Despite the filing AT&T issued a statement reiterating its interest in settling the government’s complaint. The Justice Department could require some sort of conditions or divestitures that would allow the deal to go forward, provided the Federal Communications Commission also gives its blessing.

“We continue to seek an expedited hearing.

At the same time, we have been and remain interested in a solution that addresses the DOJ’s issues with the T-Mobile merger,” said an AT&T spokesman. “When these discussions occur they will be confidential and as such we won’t be commenting publicly.”

Earlier on Friday, AT&T responded to President Obama’s Thursday jobs speech by framing the merger as a job-creating measure and calling for Congress to authorize incentive spectrum auctions as proposed in the president’s jobs bill.

“The proposal unveiled last night will go a long way to resolving this critical national infrastructure problem,” said AT&T senior executive vice president of legislative affairs Jim Cicconi.

“It is also important, though, to recognize that other more immediate measures will be needed — including approval of AT&T’s merger with T-Mobile — if our Nation is to realize the President’s goal of providing mobile broadband to 98% of all Americans.”