Verizon and T-Mobile to exchange spectrums in Philly, but consumer advocates oppose the deal

Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA have agreed to a spectrum exchange, but the deal has gotten consumer advocates and the communications workers’ union up in arms, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported last week.

While the deal would improve T-Mobile’s service in cities like Philadelphia and allow the carriers to use use their own spectrum more efficiently, critics say that the spectrum exchange, which includes a co-marketing campaign with Comcast, could hurt consumers and workers by making the market less competitive. More details from the Inquirer below:

The consumer group Public Knowledge and the Communications Workers of America both said the Verizon-T-Mobile deal should not alleviate broader objections that critics have raised, especially about what CWA policy director Debbie Goldman called a “monopolistic cross-marketing arrangement,” under which Verizon and Comcast would market each other’s services.

“The threat of job loss and higher consumer prices from the proposed Verizon Wireless-Big Cable deal remains,” Goldman said. [more]

The agreement is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission, but the Inquirer reports that approval seems likely.

For more context on the deal, check out this CNET article.