February, 10 2020, 11:00pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Director 415-846-7758
Paul Goodman, Greenlining Institute Technology Equity Director, 831-325-8600
Greenlining Institute Disappointed at Judge's OK of T-Mobile/Sprint Deal
Advocates Say Merger “Will Harm Communities of Color and Low-Income Communities Across California"
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
The Greenlining Institute today expressed profound disappointment at a New York judge's ruling that the controversial merger of T-Mobile and Sprint can go ahead. Greenlining Institute Technology Equity Director Paul Goodman made the following statement:
"We are profoundly disappointed that the judge approved a merger that will harm communities of color and low-income communities across California. T-Mobile's tepid promises to offer low-cost services were contradicted by T-Mobile's own experts, and T-Mobile's commitments are too vague and full of loopholes to ensure that the merger is in the public interest. The Greenlining Institute will continue to fight the merger at the California Public Utilities Commission to ensure that communities of color have acdess to affordable, high quality service.
"The fact that information regarding the judge's ruling leaked before the judge issued his decision is highly unusual and raises serious questions about a merger review process that has already been tarred by T-Mobile's backroom dealings at the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice. We are saddened that the judge decided to reward such behavior."
The lawsuit was filed in June in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan by attorneys general from 13 states and the District of Columbia. They argued that the merger would harm low-income customers by reducing competition in the telecommunications industry, leading to higher cellphone bills.
Greenlining is the solution to redlining. We advance economic opportunity and empowerment for people of color through advocacy, community and coalition building, research, and leadership development.
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