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# Possible AT&T Concessions to Save Its Merger with T-Mobile
- URL: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/possible-att-concessions-to-save-its-merger-with-t-mobile/
- Published: 2011-12-05T21:23:53.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-11T06:32:55.000Z
- Description: WASHINGTON, December 5, 2011 – With its proposed merger facing roadblocks on two fronts, AT&T has withdrawn its Federal Communications Commission application in order to focus on the Department of Justice’s antitrust suit. One of the ways that AT&T may try to gain the DOJ’s approval would be to sell
- Author: Daniel Havivi
- Tags: Justice Department, FCC, #with-siderail, Mobile, Spectrum, #spectrum-wireless, Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-02-01 10:23, #added-preview-divider

WASHINGTON, December 5, 2011 – With its proposed merger facing roadblocks on two fronts, AT&T has withdrawn its Federal Communications Commission application in order to focus on the Department of Justice’s antitrust suit.

One of the ways that AT&T may try to gain the DOJ’s approval would be to sell off parts of the company it is attempting to acquire, T-Mobile. This sale would be in response to the DOJ’s assertion that the merger, as proposed, would severely decrease competition in the wireless market.

Some experts have speculated that AT&T will try to sell up to 40% of T-Mobile. T-Mobile has both customers and spectrum that it could sell, presumably to smaller, non-Verizon carriers. However, this sale would have to gain DOJ approval as well.

If AT&T does sell off some of T-Mobile’s assets, it would be defeating the purpose of its merger, to increase its customer base and gain valuable spectrum for further 4G rollout, the latter being the bigger blow to AT&T’s ability to compete with Verizon. If AT&T went through with this plan, it would likely improve its chances of DOJ approval, but not significantly.

Should AT&T fail to complete the merger it would owe Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile’s parent company $4 billion in break up fees, $3 billion in cash and $1 billion in spectrum. AT&T notified the Securities and Exchange Commission that if it were to take this $4 billion dollar hit, it would occur in the fourth quarter.

*Editor’s Note: This story has been updated from the week of November 28.*