WASHINGTON-Cingular Wireless L.L.C. and AT&T Wireless Services Inc. defended their proposed $41 million merger, telling the Federal Communications Commission the deal will not harm competition but will lead to improved services for consumers and offer homeland security benefits.
The 102-page filing rebutted arguments of consumer groups and others that want federal regulators to block the marriage of the No. 2 and No. 3 mobile-phone carriers. If approved, Cingular Wireless would become the nation’s top mobile-phone operator. The two firms want to complete the transaction by the end of the year.
“The public interest benefits of the merger are clear . The objecting parties seek to hamstring the merged entity’s ability to make high-quality voice, data and advanced services available to the public,” said Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless in a joint filing at the FCC.
