Rick Perry reiterates support for AT&T/T-Mobile merger

Republican Rick Perry's presidential campaign reiterated the Texas governor's support for AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile on Thursday, one day after the Justice Department sued to block the deal.

"AT&T is a highly-regarded Texas-based company, creating thousands of good American jobs and providing critical communications services worldwide," Mark Miner, a spokesman for Perry, said in an email. "Governor Perry believes the combination of the two telecom companies will be good for consumers, good for technology innovation and good for America job creation."

 Perry wrote a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in May urging the agency to approve the deal. He said the merger would be a boon for the Texas economy and would improve broadband access in rural areas.

"The future rests in wireless broadband, and the federal government's swift approval of the merger between AT&T and T-Mobile would send a strong signal to employers, consumers and states that our federal government is serious about meeting the communication and technology needs of Texans and all Americans," Perry wrote.

The FCC is still conducting its review. The Justice Department filed suit on Wednesday, arguing the deal would illegally reduce competition in the wireless market.

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