FCC asks AT&T, DT for more details on planned deal

The Federal Communications Commission late last week requested additional information from AT&T Inc. and Deutsche Telekom AG in regards to AT&T’s pending $39 billion acquisition of DT subsidiary T-Mobile USA Inc.
That additional information includes analysis and plans for how the deal will help AT&T handle its claimed spectrum shortages, how it would handle markets where the deal would preclude the need for roaming agreements, and the possible decommissioning of cell sites due to network overlap.
A number of smaller operators have petitioned the FCC to not allow the deal to proceed as it would consolidate the domestic mobile industry into the hands of just two operators as well as provide a more hostile environment for smaller operators.
The FCC said it wanted the information no later than June 10. AT&T has said it expects to close on the acquisition by the end of the year.