Neat Wireless, a minority-owned, managed and controlled regional carrier, has filed a complaint against AT&T (formerly Cingular Wireless), with the FCC and the Department of Justice. Neat Wireless claims that AT&T "engaged in illegal conduct and behavior that resulted in Neat Wireless failure to compete in markets it acquired from AT&T Mobility in Northeastern Arkansas."
Neat, which filed the complaint in June and September of this year, also alleges that actions taken by AT&T forced it to sell back its recently acquired subscribers at distressed prices.
Neat claims that AT&T re-acquisition of subscribers violates the FCC's and DOJ's approval of AT&T's merger with AWS.
AT&T has not yet responded to Neat's accusations.
With the current economic climate, wireless operators face shrinking marketing budgets and reduced consumer spending.
Globally, the credit crunch is very much alive, and operators will be tightening their belts into the foreseeable future by putting off capital purchases.
