The Total Witch Hunt Around AT&T’s Power Grab
No collusion! The wireless carrier insists its strategy won’t hurt consumers, but its credibility is being tested.
Just as lawyers for AT&T Inc. wrap up what most have considered to be a strong defense of the Time Warner Inc. megamerger, information has trickled out that may test the company’s credibility.
AT&T, the No. 2 wireless carrier in the U.S., and its larger rival Verizon Communications Inc. are reportedly under investigation by U.S. antitrust officials over whether the companies colluded to make it harder for customers to switch carriers. The probe has to do with new electronic SIM, or eSIM, technology that allows consumers to make the switch by changing settings on their phone or tablet, rather than having to physically swap out a SIM card chip or go through their carrier.