Cellular South Files Own Suit Against AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

Following the lead set by the Justice Department and Sprint, regional carrier Cellular South is the latest carrier to file litigation seeking to stop the AT&T/T-Mobile purchase and subsequent merger from being completed. Below, the carrier’s official statement announcing the litigation and the reasoning behind it from Vice President for Strategic & Government Relations Eric Graham:

“AT&T’s proposed takeover of T-Mobile would profoundly impact the interests of the wireless industry as a whole, if AT&T were to complete this deal, not only would it substantially lessen competition, but it would essentially consolidate the market into the hands of the ‘Big Two’ – AT&T and Verizon. Today’s filing is another step in Cellular South’s unwavering effort to pursue the best interests of competition, wireless consumers, and our nation’s economy.”

Cellular South also joins seven state Attorneys General in opposing and taking steps to block the purchase and merger and cites the following reasons in opposition:

• regional carriers, like Cellular South, will not be able to obtain the latest wireless devices in a timely fashion and at a reasonable cost;

• Cellular South and other regional carriers will be forced to pay higher roaming prices – assuming that they are able to obtain roaming agreements at all; and

• consumers throughout the country will face higher prices, less innovation, fewer choices, and reduced competition.