Seven state attorneys general on Friday joined the Department of Justice lawsuit in opposition to the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile.
Attorneys general from New York, Washington, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania joined the case, arguing that a combined AT&T and T-Mobile would reduce competition in the wireless marketplace. The Department of Justice recently filed suit, seeking to block the proposed $39 billion merger on the same grounds.
"Our review of the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile has led me to conclude that it would hinder competition and reduce consumer choice," California AG Kamala D. Harris said in a statement. "Enforcement of antitrust law is the responsibility of the Attorney General and is vital to protecting our state's economic strength and tradition of innovation for the betterment of all Californians."
Washington State AG Rob McKenna said the deal would "result in less competition, fewer choices and higher prices for Washington state consumers."
New York's AG, Eric T. Schneiderman, also said the deal "would stifle competition in markets that are crucial to New York's consumers and businesses, while reducing access to low-cost options and the newest broadband-based technologies."
In a statement, AT&T said "it is not unusual for state attorneys general to participate in DOJ merger review proceedings or court filings. At the same time, we appreciate that 11 state attorneys general and hundreds of other local, state and federal officials are publicly supportive of our merger. We will continue to seek an expedited hearing on the DOJ's complaint. On a parallel path, we have been and remain interested in a solution that addresses the DOJ's issues with the T-Mobile merger."
Rival Sprint, which has also sued to block the deal, said the AG's move is "a strong stand for American consumers."
Consumer group Free Press said the AGs "deserve praise for standing up to AT&T and standing with their citizens. They understand that families can't afford to shoulder the burden of higher bills that would result from the merger, and that states struggling with unemployment can't afford to stand aside while corporations kill competition and put people out of work."
The move comes the day after several members of Congress penned a letter to President Obama and urged his administration to embrace the AT&T and T-Mobile merger, arguing that it will help spur job creation.