[tjarratt]

... and what of the fact that there will be one fewer major carrier and the cost of entry is significantly higher? Do you even have any idea how much it costs to start operating as a cell carrier, or how impractical it is in most regions, due to the lack of space to build new towers?

Blocking this deal makes sense, unless you truly believe that businesses should be allowed to screw over customers AND remove any choices they may have for competing products. Do you really want to defend a monopoly?