T-Mobile asks FCC to block Verizon-cable deal

(AP) -- T-Mobile USA, which just had its acquisition by AT&T blocked by regulators, is now urging the federal government to block another deal in the wireless world: Verizon's planned purchase spectrum from cable companies for $3.9 billion.

In a filing, T-Mobile USA says the Federal Communications Commission should stop the deal between Verizon, Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable Inc., Bright House Networks and Cox Communications because it would place an "excessive concentration" of wireless spectrum in Verizon's hands.

With more wireless spectrum, a phone company can raise download speeds and serve more data-hungry devices like smartphones and laptops with cellular broadband.

Verizon Wireless, the country's No. 1 cell phone company, already has a relatively large amount of spectrum, while T-Mobile, the No. 4, does not.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

NEW YORK (AP) - T-Mobile USA, which just had its acquisition by AT&T blocked by regulators, is now urging the federal government to block another deal in the wireless world: Verizon's planned purchase spectrum from cable companies for $3.6 billion.

In a filing, T-Mobile USA says the Federal Communications Commission should stop the deal between Verizon, Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable Inc., Bright House Networks and Cox Communications because it would place an "excessive concentration" of wireless spectrum in Verizon's hands.

With more wireless spectrum, a phone company can raise download speeds and serve more data-hungry devices like smartphones and laptops with cellular broadband.

Verizon Wireless, the country's No. 1 cell phone company, already has a relatively large amount of spectrum, while T-Mobile, the No. 4, does not.

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