Sprint's Dan Hesse speaks out against AT&T's purchase of T-Mobile

The potential acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T would mean that 80% of the nation's mobile subscribers would be with either AT&T or Verizon. So it's understandable that Sprint is concerned. Sprint will also have to contend with public perception that the wireless market has become a duopoly, rather than the current Big 4.

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse voiced his concerns today in San Francisco, saying that "If AT&T is allowed to swallow T-Mobile, competition will be stifled, growth will be stifled and wireless innovation will be jeopardized."

This statement echoes what Sprint expressed in an earlier press release. Sprint's senior VP of governmental affairs said that "Sprint urges the United States government to block this anti-competitive acquisition. This transaction will harm consumers and harm competition at a time when this country can least afford it."

We don't know if AT&T will use their increased size to lower prices, or raise them. But our chief concern is that a duopoly will result in slower network and device innovation.

source: Reuters