Sprint raises concern about the 'dramatic' merger of AT&T and T-Mobile

Sprint is raising concerns about a proposed mega-merger in the wireless industry. 

The nation's third-largest wireless carrier, Sprint cited potential consequences in the combination of AT&T, the second-largest, and T-Mobile, the fourth-largest. The deal could hinder innovation and create a wireless duopoly, according to a statement.

"The [Justice Department] and the [Federal Communications Commission] must decide if this transaction is in the best interest of consumers and the U.S. economy overall, and determine if innovation and robust competition would be impacted adversely and by this dramatic change in the structure of the industry," Sprint said in a statement Sunday. 

See below for Sprint's full statement.

"The combination of AT&T and T-Mobile USA, if approved by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC), would alter dramatically the structure of the communications industry.  AT&T and Verizon are already by far the largest wireless providers.  A combined AT&T and T-Mobile would be almost three times the size of Sprint, the third largest wireless competitor. If approved, the merger would result in a wireless industry dominated overwhelmingly by two vertically-integrated companies that control almost 80% of the US wireless post-paid market, as well as the availability and price of key inputs such as backhaul and access needed by other wireless companies to compete.  The DOJ and the FCC must decide if this transaction is in the best interest of consumers and the US economy overall, and determine if innovation and robust competition would be impacted adversely and by this dramatic change in the structure of the industry."