Just last week , the united states Department of Justice indicated its want to dismiss the lawsuit it filed to forestall the union of AT&T and T-Mobile caused by Ma Bell’s withdrawal of the merger’s FCC application. It appears like that’s given the telco plenty more issues to ponder, so now it’s asking Judge Huvelle to postpone further antitrust court proceedings until January 18. The folk at AT&T need the additional time to “evaluate all options” and “revise our current transaction to achieve the necessary regulatory approvals” for the merger. Because the DoJ has signed off on AT&T’s petition, it seems likely the court will go along with the plan — as opposed to killing the deal via a case dismissal at the hearing currently scheduled later this week. We’ll have to wait and see if the Judge Huvelle grants the request, but if she does, this much is certain: Ma Bell’s lawyers will be doing more work than merrymaking over the holidays.
Update: It looks like Christmas came early for AT&T&T, as the New York Times reports that Judge Huvelle has granted the stay.
DALLAS, December, 12, 2011 – AT&T today issued the following statement regarding the status of its merger with T-Mobile USA:
“AT&T and Deutsche Telekom advised Judge Huvelle this morning that they wish to stay any further Court proceedings until January 18, 2012, to allow the two companies time to assess all options. The U.S. Department of Justice joined in the filing.
“AT&T is committed to working with Deutsche Telekom to find a solution that is in the best interests of our respective customers, shareholders and employees. We are actively considering whether and how to revise our current transaction to reach the mandatory regulatory approvals so that we can deliver the capacity enhancements and improved customer service that can only be derived from combining our two companies’ wireless assets.”
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies within the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services inside the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse^® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the crucial advanced on this planet. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for his or her leadership in local search and advertising.
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