WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission announced the start of the process to reject the AT&T/T-Mobile merger. According to reports, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is circulating an order that would designate the merger for a hearing. The order effectively concludes that AT&T's bid to acquire T-Mobile is not in the public interest.

Free Press President and CEO Craig Aaron made the following statement:

“We applaud the FCC chairman for standing up for the public interest and saving American jobs, despite intense pressure from AT&T’s army of lobbyists.

“We are pleased that Chairman Genachowski sees through AT&T’s blatant lies and misleading advertising campaign, because there is no disputing that this merger would kill tens of thousands of jobs, raise prices for consumers and kill competition in the wireless market.

“The Department of Justice and the FCC both agree that this merger is a bad deal, and it’s time for AT&T to walk away.”