© Sean MacEntee

The proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile is under scrutiny at the US Department of Justice, which opposes the $39 billion deal on grounds that it would cost jobs and violate antitrust laws. However, the union representing AT&T wireless broadband internet workers has sided with the company in asserting that the merger will actually create jobs.

The deputy attorney general James M. Cole has publicly stated the DoJ's position that mergers typically lead to job cuts. They have filed suit against the companies in part to protect jobs, but the Communications Workers of America (CWA) are endorsing the merger and criticizing the DoJ for standing in the way. The DoJ claims that the merger will result in up to 20,000 job cuts for T-Mobile workers. Most of the job cuts by AT&T in the past decade have been in the wireline business due to the rise of mobile phones.

© liewcf

Leading satellite TV operator DISH network ha recently acquired some bankrupt telecom firms in a move to deploy a proprietary high speed wireless broadband internet network. The company is seeking FCC approval to deploy the network with a goal of offering mobile internet service to its existing customers.

DISH has requested clearance of the newly acquired telcos TerreStar and DBSD to receive license waivers. DISH acquired a 100% stake in DBSD this year as the company emerged from bankruptcy, which is estimated at $1.4 billion. The company also got court approval this year to acquire TerreStar for $1.37 billion. DISH gets a 20 MHz S-band spectrum block from the DBSD acquisition which can be used for both wireline and wireless networks. The TerreStar acquisition is providing another 20 MHz S-band spectrum block and has technology which will help DISH launch the first satellite smartphone.

© JasonDGreat

Google is partnering with internet provider ISP Wananchi to offer a low cost wireless broadband internet option in developing markets like Nairobi, Kenya. Aptilo Networks, which is a contract provider for wireless network access control systems and billing operations worldwide, has been tapped by Google and ISP Wananchi Group to provide cloud based services and policy control for the launch of the Wazi WiFi network.

Wazi will be expanded to provide affordable high speed internet service to a variety of developing market. Google is providing financial assistance to support the project, but hasn't released details in this regard. Wananchi is looking to partner with other local businesses in the Nairobi region to extend the network reach. They are already providing high speed service at the Nairobi Junction Shopping mall, which is free for 10 minutes each day per device and then costs 50 Kenyan shillings for a one day pass.