If the regulators allow the merger to take place, AT&T will probably have to give something up.
For example, in a regional market where AT&T and T-Mobile dominate market share, regulators 鈥渃ould ask for a price break鈥� to ensure local consumers don鈥檛 face rate hikes, says Tardiff.
When Denver-based Qwest Communication proposed buying CenturyLink, based in Monroe, La., the FCC required them to offer bargain rates to low-income subscribers in 37 states, says Fred Dickson, chief investment strategist at D.A. Davidson in Lake Oswego, Ore. That deal was conditionally approved on Friday.
鈥淥ur feeling is that this [AT&T鈥揟-Mobile] deal is going to happen, but there will be major concessions,鈥� Mr. Dickson says. 鈥淭he question is, what will they be?鈥�
