WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission has asked Cingular Wireless L.L.C. and AT&T Wireless Services Inc. a series of highly detailed questions about their proposed $41 billion merger, queries that suggest regulators are closely scrutinizing potential consumer and targeted-competitive impacts of a deal that would create the nation’s largest mobile-phone operator.
The questions and requests for supporting data, included in a June 30 letter from Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Chief John Muleta to attorneys at Cingular and AT&T Wireless, cover a wide range of issues ranging from technology to calling plans to marketing to service quality.
Muleta asked both carriers why they have not chosen to accelerate the migration of customers from TDMA to GSM technology and what the cost to consumers will be. Questions also were asked about Cingular’s plans for third-generation wireless systems and how rural customers might be impacted generally.
The FCC requested replies from the two wireless operators by July 15.
An FCC spokeswoman said requests for additional information on proposed mergers are not unusual. Indeed, most experts predict the FCC and Justice Department will approve the transaction before the end of the year. However, the possibility exists that federal officials could condition or modify any merger approval with respect to particular markets where Cingular and AT&T Wireless currently compete against each other.
“We received the FCC’s request for information-much of which we have already supplied to the DOJ. We’re working to supply the information to the FCC promptly so that the acquisition of AT&T Wireless can be completed as quickly as possible, ” said Clay Owen, a Cingular spokesman.
