Minnesota senators question CEOs about wireless merger

Minnesota's U.S. senators heard from wireless company CEOs Wednesday about the proposed merger of AT&T and T-Mobile.

The merger would leave just three nationwide wireless carriers: AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. Both of Minnesota's senators sit on the Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee that held the hearings.

Sen. Al Franken said he was unconvinced consumers would benefit from the deal.

"But I fear that if approved the merger would take us one more step -- or just one step away -- from the monopoly market we had under Ma Bell," Franken said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Amy Klobuchar questioned the CEOs about the impact of a merger on the cost of wireless plans.

Ultimately the Senate doesn't get to sign off on a merger. That job is left to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission.

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