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Business America s mobile merger Tripped at the altar 美国手机业者合併 功亏一篑 The Justice Department seeks to block AT T s acquisition of T-Mobile 司法部门阻止AT T收购T-mobile RANDALL STEPHENSON has no time for doubts. In March, when the boss of AT T,America s second-biggest mobile-phone operator, declared that his firm would buy T-MobileUSA, the number four, for a whopping $39 billion, he seemed convinced that the deal wouldpass antitrust muster. This is an intensely competitive marketplace, he said. When youwatch a show or a football game, what dominates the airwaves? It s advertising for themobile marketplace. 兰德尔斯蒂芬森已没时间犹豫了。三月份，美国第二大手机运营商AT T总裁宣布收购美国T-Mobile。T-Mobile 以39亿美元总资产位于美国手机公司第四位。斯蒂芬森似乎对于这次的收购通过反垄断法的检阅非常有信心。他说： 这个市场竞争相当激烈。当人们观看一场演出或是球赛时，是谁控制着无线电波?这是在为手机市场做广告。 Mr Stephenson s optimism was misplaced. On August 31st America s Justice Departmentfiled a suit to block the proposed merger, arguing that it would substantially reducecompetition for mobile services in America. This does not mean that the deal is deadyet.But to salvage it, AT T must fight a long battle in court at a time when the Obamaadministration is signalling a tougher approach to antitrust enforcement. Or it must acceptpainful conditions in a settlement. | 
