Changes at FCC could affect AT&T’s bid to acquire T-Mobile

As the Federal Communications Commission reviews AT&T’s $39 billion bid for T-Mobile, major staff changes at the agency are creating uncertainties about when and how the commission will vote, experts say.

One Republican-held chair is open on the five-member commission now that Meredith Attwell Baker has resigned to take a position at cable giant Comcast. Democratic Commissioner Michael Copps will leave later this year -- months before the agency’s review of the deal is expected to be complete. The staff changes, as well as growing opposition by state utilities and competitors such as Leap Wireless and Sprint Nextel, have spurred intense lobbying over the deal. No one at the agency has indicated how they will vote, and the commission could approve the deal with two empty seats. That makes for lots of guessing games. Adding new commissioners could prolong the review process if they need time to get up to speed on the issues.