Group says AT&T hid too much info about T-Mobile deal

{mosads}“Information of the kind that AT&T accidentally disclosed should
never have been secret to begin with,” Feld said.

That revelation prompted a fresh round of criticism from opponents of the deal, who argued AT&T could afford to expand its network without eliminating T-Mobile as a competitor. AT&T has also cited the spectrum and efficiencies gained from the deal as benefits of the merger.

The Department of Justice filed suit to block the merger shortly afterward, arguing the deal would harm competition in the national wireless market and lead to increased prices for consumers.

AT&T has shown interest in divesting spectrum and subscribers to assuage some of the Justice’s Departments concerns while simultaneously preparing to challenge the suit in court. A federal judge recently set the trial date for February.

Update: An AT&T spokesman sent the following statement in response:

“In reviewing transactions, the FCC routinely requires parties to submit highly confidential and competitively-sensitive information, subject to Protective Orders that set appropriate limits on access to and use of such information. The Protective Orders entered in this case permit Public Knowledge full access to all materials submitted by the parties for purposes of participating in the proceeding. AT&T’s confidential designations are fully consistent with the letter and spirit of these Protective Orders and standard regulatory practice. Public Knowledge’s desire to use this confidential information publicly would be contrary to the FCC’s Protective Orders and an abuse of this process.”

— This post was updated at 12 p.m.