Tech Daily Dose

Sharp action by the Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission to block AT&T's plan to buy T-Mobile is likely to put a damper on future mergers, analysts say.

AT&T abandoned its bid for the smaller T-Mobile on Monday.

Despite considerable resources, AT&T often seemed caught off guard by the government response.

That, analysts say, could have implications for other mergers.

"I don't think we'll see another such merger under Obama," said Richard Brunell, director of legal advocacy for the American Antitrust Institute and a former trial lawyer for the Justice Department. While regulatory and law enforcement processes are relatively insulated from politics, "in close-call mergers, administrations can make a difference," he said.

For more on how AT&T's plans failed in the face of government opposition, visit our Tech page.