FCC Commissioner Refuses to Vote on AT&T-BellSouth Merger Deal
The largest telecommunications merger in U.S. history will likely be back on the regulatory negotiation table in the coming weeks after Republican FCC commissioner, Robert M. McDowell, declined to vote on the merger.
McDowell was initially unable to participate because he had previously represented a trade group opposed to the AT&T-BellSouth merger. He has since been given legal clearance to cast a ballot, but announced on Monday that he will be declining to do so.
This leaves the remaining four commissioners in a 2-2 deadlock, with two Democrats refusing to endorse the deal until certain compromises have been made, including assurances on the issue of net neutrality.
The $84 billion merger has already been approved by the U.S. Department of Justice and regional regulators in 18 states, leaving the FCC as its final hurdle.