Less than one month has passed since AT&T announced plans to acquire T-Mobile for $39 billion. Both companies, however, have yet to file the formal paperwork necessary to begin the lengthy review process by the FCC.
But that’s about to change.
AT&T’s Michael Balmoris said in a statement last night that the carriers “plan to file [their] public interest statement at the FCC around April 21.”
In addition to the FCC overview, the pending acquisition will also be investigated by the US Justice Department to rule out any possible violation of antitrust laws.
AT&T is currently the second largest mobile carrier in the US behind Verizon. But that will change if the FCC and Justice Department authorize the merger.
If the acquisition is ultimately permitted, the deal would effectively bundle 80 percent of US wireless contract customers in just two companies.
Wall Street and legal analysts estimate that the $39 billion proposed merger may be under review for better than a year before a green light is given.
Of course, there’s still no indication that the light given will, in fact, be green.
