WASHINGTON (AP) -- The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission has come out against the merger of cellphone giant AT&T and T-Mobile USA.
Julius Genachowski made his position known in a proposed order he circulated to fellow commissioners Tuesday.
Genachowski recommended sending AT&T Inc.'s proposed $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile to an administrative law judge for review. That's what the FCC does when it opposes a merger.
According to an FCC official familiar with the matter, an agency analysis has concluded the merger would result in higher prices for consumers, less innovation, less investment in the U.S. and fewer U.S. jobs.
The official wasn't authorized to speak publicly.
The FCC is the second government agency to oppose the deal. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit in August to stop it.
