AT&T tries to block Sprint - Clearwire WiMax merger

With separate field test successes and roll out announcements coming from both Sprint and Clearwire, AT&T must beginning to believe that a nation wide WiMax really will work. A new network that is an open, wholesalable, mobile and a simple, dumb pipe could really throw a wrench into AT&T’s plans to roll out usage caps and overage charges, not to metion triple play. True to form, the Death Star has chosen to use to lawyering and lobbying at the FCC to kill competition rather than playing fair and competing.

The company has provided Ars with a copy of yesterday’s FCC filing in which AT&T argues that the deal needs more scrutiny. An AT&T spokesperson tells us that the company “does not fundamentally oppose the underlying transaction,” but it does say that Sprint and Clearwire “should be required to demonstrate that its merger serves the public interest just like any other providers would have to do.” Until that happens, the deal should be put on hold.(Ars Technica)

The FCC should dismiss this without fanfare. AT&T should be fined heavily for using the agency as part of a ploy to stifle competition.