US: T-Mobile and Sprint to defend before house

According to a report from Bloomberg, T-Mobile CEO John Legere and Sprint Chairman Marcelo Claure have agreed to testify about their planned US$26.5 billion merger before a Democratic-controlled House panel.

The hearing, scheduled for February 13, gives Representative David Cicilline of Rhode Island, the chairman of the House Antitrust Subcommittee, an opportunity to examine a deal that would reduce the US wireless market to three carriers. Cicilline has vowed to look into the rising concentration and market power wielded by companies in industries like technology and health care.

“A merger between T-Mobile and Sprint would combine two of the four largest wireless carriers and the carriers with the largest numbers of low-income customers,” Cicilline said in a statement with Representatives Jerrold Nadler of New York, Frank Pallone of New Jersey, and Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania. “As the committees with oversight of the Federal Communications Commission and Department of Justice, we must hold this hearing to examine the effects on important issues like jobs, costs to consumers, innovation and competition.”

Cicilline’s plans are part of a broader effort by Democrats, who took control of the House earlier this month, to increase congressional oversight of the Trump administration.