http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204452104577060400382853704.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection
AT&T means business; it wants T-Mobile real bad. AT&T has taken the hardline that the FCC missed its chance to rule on the merger. However, I was doubtful from the beginning about the FCC;s intentions.
The FCC originally was all for the AT&T/T-Mobile merger. As far as I can tell the FCC changed its position after dozens upon dozens of third parties raised a ruckus and the Department of Justice expressed its displeasure.
So now, AT&T has told the FCC it is going to ignore any decision from the FCC. I for one still want to hear what the FCC has to say.
Will the AT&T/T-Mobile merger go through? I have no clue.
I would make AT&T guarantee to the American people the merger will result in additional jobs. If the merger does not result in job growth, AT&T can fork over the $4B it is ready to hand over to Deutsche Telekom AG and give it to the American people. What is the point is making a bold statement unless there is a bold penalty. Let’s call out AT&T. I would love to be proven wrong, at least the money AT&T is willing to send to a German company will be better point to use in the United States.
I know I sound parochial but frankly given the parochial chest beating AT&T is doing I would say my demand is pretty reasonable.
I would also ask AT&T if it has downsized any of its organizations in the last 12 months in order to reduce operating costs. For all I know AT&T has been trimming staff for the last 12 months just to dig up the money in the event the merger fails and it has to pay Deutsche Telekom. Let us assume, AT&T and T-Mobile merge, hiring people afterwards will not be that difficult since you already cut the people earlier.
For now, the next move is the FCC’s. AT&T has flatly told the world it sees no reason for why it has to wait for the FCC. AT&T’s position is pretty bold, telling the FCC it will ignore it.
Is Chairman Genachowski going to let AT&T walk all over him? If I were the chairman I would not let AT&T get away with it.