Hot on the heels of the Department of Justice’s blockage of the AT&T/T-Mobile merger, AT&T is looking into playing nice with the government. The carrier is working on a settlement offer in the hopes of avoiding an expensive and drawn out legal battle. Rumored concessions the company may have to give is a sell off of some of its assets, and possibly up to 25% of T-Mobile’s business. More than likely T-Mobile’s cheap calling and data plans are going to be kept as a peace offering.

The main objection to the merger was lack of competition if it went through. If AT&T wants to clear the merger and avoid the lawsuit, they may have to layer on the chapstick. If they can’t push this through, they would have to pony up $6 billion in cash and assets to T-Mobile’s parent company Deutsche Telekom. Many insiders and consumers have been crying foul ever since the merger was announced so expect this battle to only heat up.

Source: Rueters

Via: Engadget

Related articles

• ‘AT&T is certain to lose’ lawsuit with DOJ, former FCC chairman says (bgr.com)
• AT&T tempts FCC, promises to bring 5,000 jobs back to U.S. if T-Mobile merger is approved (bgr.com)