NY won't appeal loss in T-Mobile-Sprint merger case - Times Union

ALBANY — New York is ending its fight to stop T-Mobile's $26.5 billion takeover of rival Sprint, Attorney General Letitia James announced Sunday.

The decision came days after a federal judge in Manhattan ruled in favor of the merger, rejecting James' assertion that the union would hurt competition nationwide and drive up prices for consumers – especially those in rural areas who often have poor access to cell service. She co-led a coalition of 14 attorneys general nationwide in lodging the case against the service giants last summer.

The merger will combine the third and fourth largest wireless providers in the U.S. - which will make them a force against the largest companies, AT&T and Verizon.

"After a thorough analysis, New York has decided not to move forward with an appeal in this case," James said in a release Sunday. "Instead, we hope to work with all the parties to ensure that consumers get the best pricing and service possible, that networks are built out throughout our state, and that good-paying jobs are created here in New York. We are gratified that this process has yielded commitments from T-Mobile to create jobs in Rochester and engage in robust national diversity initiatives that will connect our communities with good jobs and technology."

Her Sunday statement was a shift from the statement she issued shortly after the judge's decision last Tuesday. At the time, James asserted that the merger "has been about massive corporate profits over all else, and despite the companies’ false claims, this deal will endanger wireless subscribers where it hurts most: their wallets."

James' announcement allows T-Mobile's executives to breathe a temporary sigh of relief, as California Attorney General Xavier Becerra continues to weigh his options. Following the decision last Tuesday, he asserted that "our coalition is prepared to fight as long as necessary to protect innovation and competitive costs.” California's independent public utilities commission is also currently reviewing the deal.

“This is a BIG win and a BIG day for the New T-Mobile!" Mike Sievert, COO and president of T-Mobile, said in a release following the judge's decision last week. "Now we can get to work finishing what we set out to do – bringing a new standard for value, speed, coverage, quality and customer service to U.S. consumers everywhere and TRULY changing wireless for good."

He said the companies are working on finalizing negotiations as early as April 1. The current plan is for Sprint customers to become T-Mobile customers.

Opponents of the $26.5 billion merger have argued that combining T-Mobile and Sprint — the less-expensive alternatives to AT&T and Verizon — would cut consumers' options and increase prices, though the companies have claimed that their combined forces would allow for expanded coverage and an expedited 5G network.

The Federal Communications Commission approved the merger last year. The companies have said they don't plan to raise consumer prices for three years. But the labor group Communications Workers of America have also warned that T-Mobile's takeover of Sprint could put 30,000 jobs at risk.

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NY won't appeal loss in T-Mobile-Sprint merger case - Times Union
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