A PYMNTS Company

US: FCC looks to thwart Sprint, T-Mobile auction plans

 |  August 3, 2014

The Federal Communications Commission said Friday that it is looking to possibly ban the practice of joint bidding in government spectrum auctions, a move that would complicate plans by wireless competitors Sprint and T-Mobile to partner for next year’s spectrum sale.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    Sprint and T-Mobile, which are reported to be in discussions to merge, said last month that in preparation for that merger they planned to raise $10 billion to jointly bid on low-frequency airwaves for the FCC’s auction next year. But according to FCC wireless telco bureau chief Roer Sherman, partnerships like that could harm competition.

    ”If two of the largest companies are able to bid as one combined entity in the auction, their combined resources may have the effect of suppressing meaningful competition,” he said in a statement published Friday, adding that the current rules that allow joint bidding were created before recent waves of consolidation in the market.

    The FCC is now seeking public comment on the proposed rule changes.

    Full content: Yahoo Finance

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.