WASHINGTON — AT&T and the Justice Department agreed Monday to put off their upcoming antitrust trial over the phone company’s proposed acquisition of smaller rival T-Mobile USA while the wireless carriers determine the fate of the deal.
U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle quickly approved their motion to cancel the February trial and set a Jan. 18 hearing.
The development comes as the $39 billion deal is under increasing government opposition, with analysts now giving it a slim chance of going through.
The Justice Department said the combination of the No. 2 and No. 4 cellphone companies in the country would reduce competition and lead to higher consumer prices.
The two companies withdrew their application for the FCC to approve the deal three weeks ago. The Associated Press
