AT&T Throws the Towel in on T-Mobile Acquisition
And just like that, T-Mobile is safe (for now). AT&T has announced that they’re ending bids to acquire T-Mobile up against heavy resistance from the FCC and the Department of Justice.
Because the deal, which was expected to be accepted and in the finalizing stages in the first couple of months of 2012, fell through, AT&T owes T-Mobile’s parent company Deutsche Telekom $4 billion as well as a roaming agreement that AT&T states is mutually beneficial to both parties.
And all in the world of magenta let loose a deep sigh of relief. The question is – who will try next? We’re sure someone will. A lot of you want it to be Google, and – trust me – we’d want that too.
But as it stands, T-Mobile is T-Mobile and AT&T will look into other areas of investment and opportunities to improve service for their consumers (at least that’s what they say their motive behind the acquisition was). Read on for full press details.
AT&T Ends Bid to Add Network Capacity Through T-Mobile USA Purchase
Company Reaffirms Its Commitment to Mobile Broadband Leadership
DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) said today that after a thorough review of options it has agreed with Deutsche Telekom AG to end its bid to acquire T-Mobile USA, which began in March of this year.
“AT&T will continue to be aggressive in leading the mobile Internet revolution”
The actions by the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice to block this transaction do not change the realities of the U.S. wireless industry. It is one of the most fiercely competitive industries in the world, with a mounting need for more spectrum that has not diminished and must be addressed immediately. The AT&T and T-Mobile USA combination would have offered an interim solution to this spectrum shortage. In the absence of such steps, customers will be harmed and needed investment will be stifled.“AT&T will continue to be aggressive in leading the mobile Internet revolution,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO. “Over the past four years we have invested more in our networks than any other U.S. company. As a result, today we deliver best-in-class mobile broadband speeds – connecting smartphones, tablets and emerging devices at a record pace – and we are well under way with our nationwide 4G LTE deployment.
“To meet the needs of our customers, we will continue to invest,” Stephenson said. “However, adding capacity to meet these needs will require policymakers to do two things. First, in the near term, they should allow the free markets to work so that additional spectrum is available to meet the immediate needs of the U.S. wireless industry, including expeditiously approving our acquisition of unused Qualcomm spectrum currently pending before the FCC. Second, policymakers should enact legislation to meet our nation’s longer-term spectrum needs.
“The mobile Internet is a dynamic industry that can be a critical driver in restoring American economic growth and job creation, but only if companies are allowed to react quickly to customer needs and market forces,” Stephenson said.
To reflect the break-up considerations due Deutsche Telekom, AT&T will recognize a pretax accounting charge of $4 billion in the 4th quarter of 2011. Additionally, AT&T will enter a mutually beneficial roaming agreement with Deutsche Telekom.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
About AT&T
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