Congress to Take Close Look AT&T, T-Mobile Merger

"The Senate Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust, competition policy and consumer rights on Sunday promised to take a "close look" at the merger."

""Consumers have borne the brunt of the increasingly concentrated market for mobile phone service. The explosion of cell phone usage—especially smart phones—makes competition in this market more important than ever as a check on prices, consumer choice, and service," Sen. Herb Kohl, chairman of the subcommittee, said in a statement. "That's why the Antitrust Subcommittee will take a close look at what this loss of competition will mean for people who increasingly rely on wireless phone service to connect to friends, family and the Internet.""

"A spokeswoman for the senator said no hearings on the matter have been scheduled at this time, but Congress will examine the deal as it progresses."

"Earlier this month, Kohl released a list of priorities for his subcommittee this year, including an examination of competition among broadband providers, Internet search companies, and media giants; wireless might soon make that list."