WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission set a May 3 deadline for challenges to Cingular Wireless L.L.C.’s $41 billion bid for AT&T Wireless Services Inc., a deal the two mobile-phone carriers want to wrap up by the end of the year.
Both the FCC and Justice Department are reviewing the proposed merger, which if approved, would enable Cingular Wireless-jointly owned by SBC Communications Inc. (60 percent) and BellSouth Corp. (40 percent)-to surpass Verizon Wireless as the nation’s No. 1 mobile-phone operator.
The FCC will allow Cingular Wireless, AT&T Wireless and other parties to address any opposition to the proposed merger in written filings. Organized labor supports the marriage of the No. 2 and No. 3 mobile-phone carriers.
Challenges to Cingular/AWS merger due May 3
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