AT&T, Centennial Said Merger Delay Would Be 'Burden'

AT&T and Centennial Communications executives told the Federal Communications Commission that further delay in their proposed merger "will impose a severe burden on Centennial." The executives met with the FCC staff on Sept. 21, AT&T said in the filing posted on the agency's Web site. The companies have been awaiting approval from the Department of Justice and the FCC since proposing the $945 million merger in November 2008. AT&T has already divested some assets to allay antitrust concerns over the deal, which originally was to close in the second quarter of 2009. It's the first major telecommunications merger to come before the Obama administration, Stifel Nicolaus & Co. analyst Christopher King said. The transaction would add 1.1 million wireless customers and enhance AT&T's coverage in the Midwest, Southeast and Puerto Rico, AT&T said when the companies proposed the deal. Imposition of any conditions on the merger "is unwarranted," the executives told FCC staff, according to the disclosure filing. Competition in wireless services "will remain robust" in Puerto Rico, and competition in wired service "will be unaffected" by the merger, the executives said.