AT&T/T-Mobile antitrust trial scheduled to begin February 13
updated 06:05 pm EDT, Wed September 21, 2011
Judge refuses to consolidate cases
The Department of Justice lawsuit against the proposed AT&T buyout of T-Mobile has finally received a solid schedule, with trial proceedings to officially begin on February 13. Judge Ellen Huvelle allocated six weeks for the trial, however lawyers representing both sides reportedly claimed that such a length would not prove necessary.
The DoJ recently refused to reveal information surrounding the reasoning for its move to block the buyout. Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich suggests that such a move potentially could be viewed as an attempt to bring bias to the proceedings.
The merger still faces other civil lawsuits, one filed by Sprint and another from Cellular South. AT&T and T-Mobile pushed to have both cases consolidated, however Judge Huvelle refused. AT&T is expected to file to dismiss the Sprint suit.
Several Democrat members of the House of Representatives have urged President Obama to seek a quick settlement and allow the merger to move forward, though it remains unclear if the parties will reach an agreement before the trial begins. [via Reuters]
