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Published May 09, 2011, 09:00 AM

AT&T official says merger would help rural areas

Officials with AT&T say a proposed merger with T-Mobile USA would benefit rural areas in the Upper Midwest.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Officials with AT&T say a proposed merger with T-Mobile USA would benefit rural areas in the Upper Midwest.

AT&T's proposed $39 million purchase of T-Mobile has been criticized by some who say it would limit wireless competition, and federal antitrust clearance isn't certain.

Regional vice president Beth Canuteson tells The Forum newspaper that if the deal goes through it would help AT&T expand its high-speed data network in lower-population areas. The Forum reports there would be near-blanket 4G, or fourth-generation, wireless coverage in North Dakota and west central Minnesota.

Not everyone thinks a merger of two of the top four wireless carriers would be a good deal. Derek Collins of Grand Forks says a merger wouldn't benefit anyone but AT&T.

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