Sprint Corp (fka S)

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Sprint Plans Appeal to Congress to Halt AT&T-T-Mobile Deal
By Greg Bensinger - Mar 22, 2011 5:21 PM ET
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-22/sprint-ceo-hesse-says-at-t-t-mobile-could-stifle-innovation-.html?cmpid=yhoo

Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) Chief Executive Officer Dan Hesse said the company plans to submit its concerns over AT&T Inc. (T)’s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA to Congress, saying the deal hurts the wireless industry.

The combined entity would have “tremendous” power, Hesse said in an interview at a wireless industry conference in Orlando, Florida. He said AT&T and Verizon Wireless would hold 79 percent of the U.S. market if regulators approve the deal.

Sprint shares fell 14 percent yesterday on concern AT&T’s $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile, announced March 20, will leave the Overland Park, Kansas-based carrier a weaker No. 3 player in the U.S. The deal still needs regulatory approval. Sprint also held talks about buying T-Mobile, people with knowledge of the matter said this month.

Hesse, 57, said Sprint will file its concerns to Congress during the review. The U.S. House Judiciary Committee said yesterday it will hold a hearing on the takeover. The committee will look into possible anticompetitive impacts, said Representative Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican who heads the panel.

Jim Cicconi, senior executive vice president at AT&T, responded to Hesse’s comments in an e-mailed statement.

“We understand Sprint has concerns, and we’ll be happy to address any they present, whether at the Justice Department, the FCC or the Congress,” said Cicconi. “We feel we have good and compelling answers. And we feel policymakers will readily understand that any company with whom AT&T competes may not be especially positive about anything which makes AT&T a better competitor in the wireless market.”
‘Stifle Innovation’

Hesse declined to say whether Sprint had held talks with T- Mobile. He told an audience at the wireless event that the acquisition by AT&T would consolidate too much power in the mobile-phone market.

“I have concerns it would stifle innovation,” Hesse said.

Sprint rose 11 cents to $4.47 at 4 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.