Charles Dharapak/Associated PressJudge Ellen Segal Huvelle is overseeing the Justice Department’s lawsuit against AT&T.
The federal judge overseeing the case against AT&T’s proposed $39 billion acquisition of T-Mobile USA has asked both sides to discuss the prospects of a settlement on Sept. 21.
In an order signed on Monday, Judge Ellen S. Huvelle of the United States District Court in Washington asked the Justice Department, AT&T and Deutsche Telekom, which is the parent of T-Mobile, to file a joint plan by Sept. 16 on scheduling and managing the case.
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The judge also ordered that “the parties shall be prepared to discuss the prospects for settlement” at a Sept. 21 status conference.
The Justice Department filed its lawsuit on Aug. 31, saying that the acquisition of T-Mobile would “remove a significant competitive force from the market,” which would shrink to three big telecommunications providers from four. A&T has vowed to contest the litigation.
While the government’s criticism of the deal was harsh, officials have also suggested that there is still room to negotiate. At a Aug. 31 news conference, Sharis A. Pozen, the acting assistant attorney general, said: “We apprised them of our serious concerns. And as any party can do, our door is open.”
AT&T also expects to enter in discussions about a possible solution, people briefed on the matter have previously told DealBook.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Judge Sets Hearing on AT&T Deal
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