T-Mobile to defend Sprint deal before Democratic-led House

Bloomberg

T-Mobile US Inc Chief Executive Officer John Legere and Sprint Corp Chairman Marcelo Claure agreed to testify about their planned $26.5 billion merger
before a Democratic-controlled House panel that is expected to bring tougher scrutiny to the consolidation of telecom giants.
The hearing, scheduled for February 13, gives Representative David Cicilline of Rhode Island, the chairman of the House antitrust subcommittee, an opportunity to examine a deal that would reduce the US wireless market to three carriers.
Cicilline has vowed to look into the rising concentration and market power wielded by companies in industries like technology and healthcare.
“A merger between T-Mobile and Sprint would combine two of the four largest wireless carriers and the carriers with the largest numbers of low-income customers,” Cicilline said in a statement with Representatives Jerrold Nadler of New York, Frank Pallone of New Jersey and Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania. “As the committees with oversight of
the Federal Communications Commission and Department of Justice, we must hold this hearing to examine the effects on important issues like jobs, costs to consumers, innovation and competition.”
Cicilline’s plans are part of a broader effort by Democrats, who took control
of the House earlier this month, to increase congressional oversight of the Trump administration.
Legere and Claure touted the benefits of their deal
before the Senate last year. Those included the advancement of the next generation of wireless technology known as 5G.
While members of Congress don’t have a say on mergers, they do play a role in overseeing the officials who vet deals.