AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson is expecting the massive $85 billion merger between AT&T and Time Warner to close by the end of the year, telling CNBC this morning that the “one-track review” by the Department of Justice is going “at pace.”

“I’ve had two conversations with President Trump and his administration. In neither one of those conversations was there any discussion about this deal,” Stephenson said.

Prior to the election, Donald Trump had opposed the deal, calling it “an example of the power structure I’m fighting.” Stephenson also said AT&T will not assume licenses from Time Warner, avoiding a review by the Federal Communications Commission now led by Trump-appointed Ajit Pai, an opponent of net neutrality.

If allowed…

Continue reading…