Wired Wisconsin: Statement on Senator Herb Kohl's Opposition to Proposed AT&T - T-Mobile USA Merger


MILWAUKEE, WI--(Marketwire - Jul 20, 2011) - Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl on Tuesday submitted a letter to US Attorney General Eric Holder and FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski expressing his opposition to the proposed AT&T - T-Mobile USA merger now under review by the Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission. Thad Nation, executive director of Wired Wisconsin, issued this statement in response to the news:

"I am disappointed by Senator Herb Kohl's decision to withhold his support for a merger that can provide real benefits to Wisconsin residents. As proposed, this merger would enhance and improve access to wireless broadband for Wisconsin residents through private sector investment in critical infrastructure, especially in rural areas.

"Individuals in many parts of Wisconsin often lack access to high-speed Internet, quality cell service and other amenities. This merger would help to change that by providing improved services and access to people throughout Wisconsin. Because of this identified, statewide need, I do not agree with Senator Kohl on this matter and I believe this is the wrong decision for Wisconsin consumers."

Wired Wisconsin is the Wisconsin-based project of Midwest Consumers for Choice and Competition (MCCC), a non-profit organization of individual consumers interested in technology, broadband, and telecommunication issues with state projects throughout the Midwest region. The project will work to support an environment for innovative technology, high-tech job creation, and economic growth. Wired Wisconsin will seek to educate consumers, policy makers, and businesses about technology-related legislative and regulatory issues that impact our lives, and advocate for common-sense approaches to spur innovation and grow the economy. For more information, visit www.wiredwisconsin.org.

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