AT&T May be Forced to Keep Cheap T-Mobile Prices: Report

In an effort to make a deal with the Department of Justice (DOJ) that would allow it to acquire T-Mobile, AT&T may be forced to maintain T-Mobile's industry-leading cheap mobile subscription plans, reported Reuters, citing anonymous sources.

Other potential adjustments may be selling up to 25 percent of T-Mobile's business.

AT&T's moves will be its attempt to address the concerns of critics of its proposed merger with T-Mobile, the most important of which will be the DOJ and Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Two major fears of the deal are raised price and the lack of competition.

T-Mobile is known for offering cheap plans and phones. If AT&T swallows the company and hikes prices, it may put mobile devices out of the reach of low-income customers, especially in more remote areas where few wireless carrier options exist.

Cell phones are no longer a luxury for a few among us, but a basic necessity, said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

The last thing New Yorkers need during these difficult economic times is to see cell phone prices rise, he said.

The second issue with the deal is that it would make the wireless network industry less competitive -- the proposed merger would give the combined entity 43 percent market share. Selling off parts of T-Mobile's business would ameliorate this concern.

However, Reuters pointed out that T-Mobile's national assets may not easily find a buyer, as selling it to Verizon or even Sprint may raise fresh anti-trust concerns.

Whatever the challenges, an anonymous source told Reuters that AT&T is pretty determined that they can find a solution, and they are pretty confident.