Groups Ask FCC To Hold Hearings on AT&T Takeover Of T-Mobile

Seven public-interest and consumer groups asked Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski to hold public field hearings on AT&T’s proposed takeover of T-Mobile.

“Holding hearings would be consistent with the Commission’s recent actions to increase public participation in its proceedings. In fact, the Commission has previously held field hearings about proposed mergers and other topics that greatly impact consumers,” said the letter, which was signed by Public Knowledge, Consumers Union, Free Press, Future of Music Coalition, Media Access Project, National Hispanic Media Coalition and the Open Technology Initiative of the New America Foundation. Chairman Genachowski has said the FCC wants to be a leader in harnessing communications and technology to improve public participation, the letter noted, adding: “But as the Commission realizes, online participation is not enough—particularly when millions of Americans do not have adequate broadband access. Therefore, public hearings will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to provide their input directly to the Commission.”