AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

The People's Media: Public interest groups have waged a spirited campaign to prevent a corporate takeover of the Internet

By Joseph Torres

Yes! Magazine

February 8, 2012

AT&T spared no expense in 2011 when it sought government approval of its $39 billion deal to acquire T-Mobile. The merger would have created a duopoly, leaving AT&T and Verizon in control of nearly 80 percent of the wireless market.

AT&T would then have been able to set higher prices, at a cost to people on modest incomes who depend on their cell phones to connect with work, family, and the details of modern life. read more

FMC Welcomes AT&T Decision to Drop T-Mobile Merger

The following statement can be attributed to Casey Rae-Hunter, Deputy Director of Future of Music Coalition.

“Since AT&T first announced its intent to acquire T-Mobile, Future of Music Coalition has steadily raised concerns about what the mega-merger would mean for the creative community — particularly musicians who increasingly rely on affordable access to mobile broadband platforms to reach audiences and advance their careers.

AT&T Drops Bid to Acquire T-Mobile

December 19, 2011

Washington, D.C.— The following statement can be attributed to Casey Rae-Hunter, Deputy Director of Future of Music Coalition.

“Since AT&T first announced its intent to acquire T-Mobile, Future of Music Coalition has steadily raised concerns about what the mega-merger would mean for the creative community — particularly musicians who increasingly rely on affordable access to mobile broadband platforms to reach audiences and advance their careers. read more

Turkey Day Surprise: AT&T Drops FCC Application for T-Mobile Merger

Thanksgiving was an interesting day for those who follow telecommunications hoo-hah. While most Americans were enjoying turkey, stuffing and football, AT&T requested to withdraw their merger application with T-Mobile from consideration at the Federal Communications Commission. AT&T and Deutsche Telecom (T-Mobile’s parent company) instead announced plans to concentrate on Department of Justice antitrust proceedings that will go to trial in February 2012. read more

FMC Statement on FCC Administrative Hearing in AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

November 22, 2011

Washington, D.C.— Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its intent to seek administrative hearing on the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile — an important step towards rejecting a move that would bring unprecedented concentration in the mobile marketplace.

AT&T previously sought government approval to acquire T-Mobile, which, were it approved, would see a single company control nearly half of the wireless market in the United States. Future of Music Coalition (FMC) joins a diverse array of artists, organizations and individuals in supporting the DOJ’s decision to block the merger.

The following can be attributed to Casey Rae-Hunter, Deputy Director of Future of Music Coalition: read more

Op/Ed: Selling Spectrum for a Song

By Casey Rae-Hunter

The Hill

November 18, 2011

Everyone’s wallet gets light from time to time. In the late 1950s and early ‘60s, Willie Nelson was so broke, he sold the rights to several of his most well-known songs for less than what a full tank of gas would cost today. “I needed fifty dollars!” he later recalled. In hindsight, the idea of letting the rights to “Crazy” go for a paltry ten bucks seems, well, crazy. Unfortunately Congress may be on the verge of making the same sort of short-sighted mistake with its proposed plan to sell off TV broadcast spectrum as a method of raising a small amount of revenue in the short-term. read more

Future of Music Coalition Welcomes States' Decision to Oppose AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

September 16, 2011

Washington, D.C.— Today, the Attorneys General of seven U.S. states joined a Department of Justice (DOJ) antitrust suit aimed at preventing the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile.

AT&T previously sought government approval to acquire T-Mobile, which, had it been approved, would have seen a single company control nearly half of the wireless market in the United States. Future of Music Coalition (FMC) joins a diverse array of artists, organizations and individuals in supporting the DOJ’s decision to block the merger, and applauds the Attorneys General of New York, Washington, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio and Pennsylvania in signing on to the DOJ suit. read more

Markey Praises Justice Suit to Block AT&T-T-Mobile

By John Eggerton

Broadcasting & Cable

August 31, 2011

Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), one of the stronger congressional critics of the proposed AT&T-T-Mobile merger, lauded the Justice Department’s move Wednesday to block it, just one of many voices that were weighing in on the announced antitrust suit.

“The Justice Department’s decision to take action to block AT&T’s purchase of T-Mobile is a victory for competition, consumers and choice. We should be protecting American consumers holding their cell phones, not just telecommunications titans holding stock in the companies,” he said in a statement. “The merger would reduce the number of national wireless companies from four down to three, sending the mobile marketplace into a telecommunications time machine back to 1993. That would be an historic mistake….” read more

Department of Justice Moves to Block AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced its intention to file suit to prevent the acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T. The following statement can be attributed to Future of Music Coalition Deputy Director Casey Rae-Hunter.

“Future of Music Coalition applauds the Department of Justice for moving to block the AT&T and T-Mobile merger. We hope the FCC swiftly follows suit to preserve access and innovation in mobile communications. From competition in a crucial marketplace to jobs preservation, preventing this merger is the right thing to do. Creators and consumers alike should welcome today’s news, and we thank those in the music community for helping to illustrate what is at stake for artists and other creative entrepreneurs.” read more

Future Of Music Coalition on DOJ Filing Suit to Block AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

August 31, 2011

Washington, D.C.— Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced its intention to file suit to prevent the acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T. The following statement can be attributed to Future of Music Coalition Deputy Director Casey Rae-Hunter.