US: AAI warns government to block any T-Mobile buyout

The American Antitrust Institute is calling upon federal regulators to block any potential buyout of T-Mobile by its rival Sprint in efforts to protect competition in the US wireless industry, despite the fact that any attempts to acquire T-Mobile have yet to be announced.

Rumors have been swirling about a possible T-Mobile buy, potentially by one of its competitors. Such a deal would lead to the reduction in major wireless players in the nation from four to three. The AAI is now reportedly warning the US Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission to ready themselves to block a T-Mobile buyout.

The nation’s wireless industry is already suffering from a lack of competition, AAI President Bert Foer said, leading to high costs and strict contracts for consumers. Foer is now looking to preserve the stance of T-Mobile following regulators’ 2011 blocking of AT&T’s acquisition attempt.

Earlier this week, reports emerged that T-Mobile acquired spectrum from top competitor Verizon Wireless.

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