InfoAnda - Republicans, Democrats skeptical of AT&T deal |

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Symantec lists "Dirtiest Web Sites" | 21 August 2009
Just a Minute With: Sam Mendes on Revolutionary Road | Entertainment | | 25 December 2008
New abuse charges against Catholic clergy in Germany | | 23 March 2010

Diane Sawyer To Host Peabody Awards Ceremony | 23 March 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Republicans, Democrats skeptical of AT&T deal |

Edition: U.S. Article Comments (0) Follow Reuters Facebook Twitter RSS YouTube Read Judge voids controversial Wisconsin union law 3:01pm EDT No smell of human decay in Casey Anthony's trunk: witness 3:09pm EDT Judge voids Wisconsin's anti-union law 1:52pm EDT Missing Joplin toddler identified at morgue | 4:02pm EDT Hedge fund star calls for Microsoft's Ballmer to go 25 May 2011 Discussed 329 Obama and Netanyahu face tense meeting on Mideast 127 As hours tick by, ”Judgment Day” looks a dud 105 Broadcaster silent as Judgment Day hours tick by Watched Ultra-realistic robots test our relationship with machines Wed, May 25 2011 Scientists revive ancient spider in stunning 3D detail Tue, May 24 2011 Zynga buzz grows 4:15am EDT Republicans, Democrats skeptical of AT&T deal Tweet Share this By Diane Bartz WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle expressed skepticism on Thursday that AT&T's proposed buy of T-Mobile USA would lead to the consumer benefits that the wireless company has promised. The huge deal has... Email Print Related News Google takes wraps off pay-by-phone system 4:54pm EDT Ira Sohn Highlights: Chanos negative on First Solar, Vestas 2:01pm EDT Carriers to revamp tablet service pricing Mon, May 23 2011 Wall Street slips on euro zone, spillover effect feared Fri, May 20 2011 Verizon eyes family data plans Thu, May 19 2011 Analysis & Opinion Chrysler makes a comeback, again A cloudy forecast for digital music Related Topics Technology » Deals » Global Deals Data 2011 Q1 » Inflows Outflows » Media » From right: Wayne Watts, Senior Executive Vice President and ATT&T General Counsel, Randall Stephenson, AT&T Inc. CEO, and Jim Cicconi, senior executive vice president-external and legislative affairs for AT&T, speak at a news conference to announce the company's proposal to buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom in New York, March 21, 2011. Credit: Reuters/Brendan McDermid By Diane Bartz WASHINGTON | Thu May 26, 2011 3:27pm EDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle expressed skepticism on Thursday that AT&T's proposed buy of T-Mobile USA would lead to the consumer benefits that the wireless company has promised. The huge deal has been attacked as a bad idea because it would further reduce the number of wireless carriers. Additionally, critics say the loss of discount carrier T-Mobile could lead to higher prices for consumers. AT&T (T.N) Chairman Randall Stephenson painted the proposed transaction as a way to extend the company's reach into the countryside and other underserved areas. "It's about achieving this with private capital," Stephenson told a U.S. House of Representatives' subcommittee on intellectual property, competition and the Internet. "We continue to invest at a very aggressive pace." AT&T said in March that it planned to buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG (DTEGn.DE) for $39 billion. If approved as proposed, the deal would concentrate 80 percent of U.S. wireless contract customers in just two companies: AT&T/T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon Communications (VZ.N) and Vodafone Group Plc (VOD.L). AT&T is currently the No. 2 U.S. mobile carrier behind Verizon, but would be vaulted into the No. 1 spot. Many lawmakers on the panel -- which has no direct say on whether the deal may go forward -- -- were skeptical of it. "There are legitimate questions about whether this merger could move this market past the anti-competitive tipping point," said Representative Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican. Goodlatte, Representative Darrell Issa, a California Republican, and others also expressed concern that AT&T would have the power to price "backhaul" -- the connections between cell towers and voice networks or the Internet -- so expensively that smaller carriers would be unable to compete. AT&T's Stephenson sought to allay those worries, telling the subcommittee repeatedly that they also buy backhaul and it is good business for them to continue selling it. Issa seemed unconvinced. "How am I going to be comfortable that all of these smaller carriers that remain ... how can they be assured that they'll get fair value" when buying backhaul, he asked. The deal must be approved by the Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission, a process that could take a year. Representative Mel Watt, a North Carolina Democrat, expressed concern about the impact on innovation if just three major carriers remain. And he worried aloud about handsets, like the iPhone, being available only on major carriers. Sprint Nextel Corp (S.N), the No. 3 U.S. mobile provider, has been the most vociferous opponent to the merger, but Leap Wireless International Inc (LEAP.O) and MetroPCS Communications Inc (PCS.N) have also criticized it. AT&T's sole real comfort came from Representative Ben Quayle, an Arizona Republican, who argued that prices had not gone up as the market consolidated and that higher prices would likely give new companies incentive to get into the market for wireless service. Representative John Conyers, a Michigan Democrat, dismissed At&T's arguments, saying there was a potential cost in terms of lost jobs, innovation and smaller competitors. "Everything that we're talking about that's so great from this merger is really already accomplishable," he said. "I see absolutely no redeeming reason for this merger." (Editing by Maureen Bavdek) Technology Deals Global Deals Data 2011 Q1 Inflows Outflows Media Related Quotes and News Company Price Related News Tweet this Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language, all capital letters or appear to be spam, and we review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. Comments (0) Be the first to comment on reuters.com. Add yours using the box above. Social Stream (What's this?) © Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters Editorial Editions: Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom United States Reuters Contact Us Advertise With Us Help Journalism Handbook Archive Site Index Video Index Reader Feedback Mobile Newsletters RSS Podcasts Widgets Your View Analyst Research Thomson Reuters Copyright Disclaimer Privacy Professional Products Professional Products Support Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Careers Online Products Acquisitions Monthly Buyouts Venture Capital Journal International Financing Review Project Finance International PEhub.com PE Week FindLaw Super Lawyers Attorney Rating Service Reuters on Facebook Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Friday, 27 May 2011
Syrian forces fire on Deraa protesters: witnesses |
Roadside bomb kills seven U.S. troops in Afghanistan |
Gunmen kill Iraqi official who purged Saddam loyali |
Mexico's Ernesto Cordero eyes 2012 presidential run |
Witness: An evening with Ratko Mladic |
Lockheed network suffers major disruption: sources |
Facebook, Zuckerberg say ownership suit a fraud |
Republicans, Democrats skeptical of AT&T deal |
Sloppy recycling seen posing threat to green tech |
Google takes wraps off pay-by-phone system |
Microsoft board backs Ballmer over Einhorn |
NY court keeps alive suit against Huffington Post |
LinkedIn options to start trading in U.S. on Friday |
Lindsay Lohan starts house arrest for jewelry theft |
Oprah Winfrey bows out with simplicity, gratitude |
Men still behaving badly in Hangover Part II |
Clinton in Pakistan, presses for more to quash |
Ratko Mladic to face tribunal on genocide charges |
North Korea says it releases detained U.S. citizen |
Civil war looms in Yemen, Saleh urged to quit |
Japan powerbroker Ozawa ready to challenge PM: report |
Bomb blast in southeast Turkey wounds two |
G8 pledges financial help for Arab spring nations |
East Libyans spend dwindling savings on bare basics |
Google takes wraps off pay-by-phone system |
EBay and PayPal sue Google over trade secrets |
Analysis: S.Korea's smartphone love affair lures foreign suitors |
Eircom in talks ahead of likely covenant breach |
Facebook, Zuckerberg say ownership suit a fraud |
Lindsay Lohan starts house arrest for jewelry theft |
Old friends Stoller, Butler make new Broadway musical |
Air France jet crashed nose-up after 4 minute ordeal |
Russia joins Western chorus for Gaddafi to go |
Protests erupt across Syria as world pressure grows |
Egyptians demand deeper and faster reforms |
Generals questioned as Turkey's pre-poll tensions show |
Iran says nuclear bomb would be strategic mistake |
Palestinians have no wish to isolate Israel: Abbas |
Microsoft not too late for tablet party: Citigroup |
Sony to begin restoring PlayStation Network in Asia |
Mobile devices useful travel companions: poll |
U.S. lawsuit claims RIM misled investors |
Activist Icahn cuts stake in Take-Two Interactive |
Solar panels win reprieve in EU toxic substance ban |
Tessera sues Sony for non-payment of loyalty |
Jessica Chastain off to roaring start in Hollywood |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01