The government set up the original digital spectrum auctions to establish three carriers in each geographic region. I'm not sure what following auctions have done, but this essentially set out the competitive landscape to be (what eventually became the companies) of AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.

Given that spread spectrum does not require allocation of bands, these auctions of spectrum essentially limit competition. They are near monopoly grants (triopoly, specifically.) If every operator were allowed to use the entire spectrum range, using spread spectrum signaling, with straightforward regulations on power, placement, etc, the cellular carrier landscape could consist of dozens or hundreds of operators-- however many the market would bear.

Given that, at the spectrum level, competition is limited by the government, the idea of worrying about there not being enough competition is kinda funny.

For anyone other than the three ordained spectrum holders to operate, they have to do deals with the three majors. Many of these smaller companies are already essentially owned by the majors. This merger is just a consolidation of the two carries using the same protocol.

GLAAD doesn't represent me, even though I am queer. And if they took money for this, then I don't really have a problem. This is no different than anyone being paid to advertise.