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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. 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