US: Sprint, T-Mobile call for FCC scrutiny of AT&T assets

AT&T and rivals are asking the Federal Communications Commission to use its recently-announced guidelines for reviewing spectrum acquisitions to scrutinize the company’s recent frequency grab.

The FCC announced last May that any spectrum acquisition that results in a carrier holding more than one-third of low frequency airwaves in any market will face an “enhanced review” of the purchases. Now, Sprint and T-Mobile are asking the FCC to use that “enhanced review” on AT&T’s recent frequency purchase.

The companies, along with an activist group and four other FCC commissioners, signed a letter sent to FCC Commissioner Tom Wheeler urging the watchdog to strike down AT&T’s takeover, which the writers of the letter say will increase the company’s dominance in multiple markets.

The critics also argue that the FCC has yet to define the terms of its “enhanced review” process, and AT&T is taking advantage of that uncertainty.

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