(September 1) –Yesterday, The Department of Justice announced a challenge to AT&T's proposed merger with T-Mobile. The Hispanic Institute had previously filed notes with the Federal Communications Commission in support of the transaction, noting strong market competition and choice in the wireless market for consumers.

"The decision by the Department of Justice to oppose AT&T's merger with T-Mobile is bad for jobs and bad for the Hispanic community who are among the most avid users of wireless broadband,” said Gus West, Board Chair of The Hispanic Institute. “The merger will enable AT&T to invest billions and bring true wireless broadband to 97% of the US population, which will help the Hispanic population who rely on more mobile broadband (53%) than the white population of the US (33%).”

“Within the US economy, we have to grow healthy, robust companies. This is increasingly a global zero sum game. The United States needs to grow strong companies that will be able to compete in the global marketplace.  Moreover, global downward trending costs for telephony will continue to drive domestic cost savings, while consumer demands fuels technology innovation and enhanced services.”

"In this country the big issue is jobs. The merger would create many thousands of new jobs. In fact, the company just announced that it would relocate 5,000 jobs from overseas to the United States.  The Department of Justice’s action jeopardizes the future job creation that this merger promises,” concluded West.

AT&T is an excellent corporate citizen with a great history of providing opportunity and innovation to America.  It is incumbent upon the leadership of AT&T to fight for this merger with the full force of their ability and will. There are many communities who are vested in the promise of this merger and The Hispanic Institute expects a committed, undeterred full faith effort towards a successful outcome.