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NEWS
Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

445 12th Street, S.W.
Internet:
http://www.fcc.gov

Washington, D. C. 20554

TTY: 1-888-835-5322

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

March 12, 2013 Courtney
Reinhard,
202-418-2013
Email:
Courtney.Reinhard@fcc.gov

STATMENT OF COMMISSIONER AJIT PAI

ON APPROVAL OF THE T-MOBILE AND METROPCS LICENSE TRANSFER

Re:
Applications of Deutsche Telekom AG, T-Mobile USA, Inc. and MetroPCS
Communications, Inc. for Consent to Transfer Control of Licenses and Authorizations,
WT Docket No. 12-301.
When markets are competitive, consumers are better off when the government forbears
from intervening and allows private parties to negotiate and enter into voluntary agreements. As
I have said before, mutual consent implies mutual benefit, and it is accordingly in the public
interest for freely-negotiated contracts to be allowed and enforced so long as third parties are not
harmed.
That’s why I welcome today’s action by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
approving the license transfer between T-Mobile and MetroPCS well before the expiration of the
Commission’s 180-day transactional shot clock. Additionally, the Bureau did not impose
divestitures or similar conditions on this combination of the fourth and fifth largest wireless
providers, in recognition of the highly competitive nature of the wireless market. Going forward,
I hope that the full Commission’s approach to reviewing transactions also reflects prompt
consideration on the merits.

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