FCC Asks for Public Opinion on AT&T/T-Mobile Merger

It wasn’t long ago that AT&T threw in its bid to buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom, and the debate has been heavy on both sides of the argument. For the most part, T-Mobile customers (this one included) are aghast at the very thought of being AT&T customers again. Many of us left AT&T for sunnier skies, better signals, and friendlier service. Now AT&T wants to come in and ruin all that just like everything else they touch. But I digress. There’s something like good news in all of this today. The FCC, who will ultimately decide the fate and extent of the merger, has asked for some public opinions on the matter. If you’d like to go and make your voice heard, please do! We’ll tell you how.

First, you’ll need to visit the FCC. Depending on how long-winded you want to be, there are different forms. Now, be forewarned that you are posting a comment on a public forum, and about a public hearing. What you post is displayed for anyone to see.

For a short comment go HERE. Select docket 11-65 from the list (if it’s not prepopulated) and enter your information and comment in the box.

For a longer comment, first prepare your comments as a PDF document. Remember to cite Docket 11-65 and DA 11-799.

If you’re on OS X or Linux you can print to a PDF from any application. On Windows, you can edit your comments in LibreOffice and then save as PDF. Or you could install a PDF writer–CutePDF Writer is available for 32 or 64 bit Windows, there’s also PrimoPDF and the open source PDFCreator.

Then go to the FCC’s public filing submission form. In the Proceeding Number field, type 11-65 and hit enter. You should then see In the Matter of applications of AT&T Inc. and Deutsche Telekom AG for consent to assign or Transfer Control of licenses and Authorizations show up as the subject. Then you can fill out the rest of the form, and attach your PDF at the bottom.

I strongly encourage any AT&T or T-Mobile customer to please speak your mind about this matter. If we allow monsters like AT&T to gobble us up and once again condemn us to lives of overcharges, bad service, terrible rates/plane, and ever-higher pricing then we deserve the bleak future of stifled innovation ahead of us. Where there’s less competition, there’s less innovation and less reason to create a market where consumers have the choice and power. Make your voice heard!