FCC

Coalition Presses FCC to Overturn T-Mobile–UScellular Approval

Rural and labor groups say the FCC relied on a flawed view of competition.

Jericho Casper

Sep 22, 2025 — 2 min read

Photo of Stephen Sharbaugh, associate at Womble Bond and Dickinson and regulatory council for the Rural Wireless Association, from the firm's site.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2025 – Rural carriers and labor unions said the Federal Communications Commission relied on a flawed view of competition when staff approved T-Mobile’s $4.3 billion purchase of UScellular assets.

In clearing the T-Mobile–UScellular deal, bureau staff leaned on the idea that cable providers offering wireless service through mobile virtual network operator agreements, such as Comcast’s Xfinity or Charter’s Spectrum, act as a competitive check on the Big Three carriers: T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T.

However, a coalition seeking full Commission review of the bureaus’ July approval argued MVNOs cannot serve as meaningful rivals because their wholesale access is controlled by the very nationwide mobile carriers they are supposed to compete against.

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FCC T-Mobile USCellular Carri Bennet Stephen Sharbaugh RWA Andrew Jay Schwartzman Brendan Carr Arpan Sura WTB Office of International Affairs Hooman Hedayati Benton Institute for Broadband & Society CWA