Wireless Entities Say Sinclair-Tribune Merger Will Impede TV Repacking

摘要

The Competitive Carriers Association, T-Mobile US, Inc., and several public interest organizations say they are concerned that if the FCC approves Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.'s planned acquisition of Tribune Media Co., the larger Sinclair would have more leverage to delay the post-incentive auction repacking process. The entities filed comments recently in MB docket 17-179 on the proposed transaction, which also drew opposition from several other industry entities. "Unless the Commission imposes the necessary conditions, the Transaction will harm consumers and competition in the wireless marketplace — particularly rural and underserved Americans — by significantly enhancing Sinclair's incentive and ability to delay the post-incentive auction repacking of broadcasters to the TV band below channel 37," said T-Mobile, the biggest wireless winner in the incentive auction. T-Mobile submitted comments and not a petition to deny, as did several other entities.