Since the deal between A&T and T-Mobile is still a possibility, AT&T is taking certain measures to keep Sprint away from the courtroom during the hearings. Sprint is opposed to the merger deal and has taken a stand against it publically, taking the Government’s side in the arguments. The merger would make AT&T the largest mobile provider in the United States, but the Department of Justice and FCC have heard plenty of reasons the deal should not go through. Sprint has an obvious objection to the deal, which would make their network quite invisible and give AT&T the monopoly in the mobile network business.
Other arguments have come from small business owners, congressmen and even well known large businesses owners like Bill Gates. Sprint is looking at the bigger picture and says that the merger would basically cripple their business and any shot they have at gaining market share in the super competitive mobile industry. As of right now, Verizon Wireless has the largest network, but if the merger would be approved, AT&T would clearly be the lone big player at the top of the list. The four major mobile providers have a well balanced number of subscribers and that would change for everyone if AT&T gets to buyout T-Mobile.
For Sprint, it’s a very big deal and the company is taking sides against it for good reasons. If the deal should go through, Sprint would still be a major player in the industry, but would have the fewest subscribers. Sprint has jump on the Government’s side and has even filed its own anti-trust lawsuit against AT&T, claiming the purchase would violate laws regarding anti-trust and monopolies. AT&T has simply fired back by asking a judge to toss the lawsuit out entirely in hopes of dashing any chance Sprint has of fighting the deal off.
As the merger talks continue and Sprint sticks their nose into the deal, AT&T must do whatever they can to make sure Sprint does not get to go ahead with the lawsuit. If Sprint’s lawsuit is approved, the company would get a first hand glance at all the confidential paperwork associated with the buyout. AT&T would not want that information getting to Sprint, but they are not the only one suing AT&T. The Department of Justice has also filed an anti-trust lawsuit against AT&T.
