AT&T memo leaked...proof that AT&T's TMO merger is all BULL.

Via TmoNews, leaked FCC filings show that AT&T was lying.

AT&T justified the $39B merger with T-Mobile by suggesting that it needed the bandwidth to complete its 4G LTE nationwide network.  Turns out however, behind the public's back, AT&T referred to the last 17% of its nationwide network as the most expensive part of its 4G network, to the tune of.....$3.8B.

In effect, it would be far more cost-effective for AT&T to simply spend the extra $3.8B for the last 17% of its network, than to buy out T-Mobile for $39B.  Except of course, this is not about the last 17% -- it's about reducing competition to increase ARPUs, while getting the smaller fish to pay more to lease access from AT&T to repay the cost of the T-Mo acquisition.

Not a bad business decision on their part, but on the consumer's side, one has to hope that the FCC will oppose the merger.  But if the FCC won't stop the merger, then LightSquared is desperately needed to succeed.  In my opinion, of course.