Led by Microsoft, tech giants come out to support AT&T, T-Mobile USA deal

AT&T's announcement earlier in the year that it plans to buy rival T-Mobile USA was met with skepticism by a number of officials who feared the deal would create a telecommunications monopoly. In its quest to buy T-Mobile, AT&T is getting a boost from a number of technology companies that support the deal, The New York Times reports.

Eight companies that currently dominate the technology world came out in support of the proposed merger, asserting that the deal would help AT&T to more quickly move forward with plans for its next-generation data network. Companies like Facebook and Microsoft said in letters filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that the move would help stimulate technological advancements within the sector.

In its letter, the Microsoft-led group said that data capacity remains a concern, and that the deal would allow for improved wireless broadband services.

"Many policy-related efforts will not be able to quickly address near-term capacity needs," the letter reads. "The FCC must seriously weigh the benefits of this merger and approve it."

Still, groups opposed to the proposed merger contend that the deal would effectively stymie competition among telecommunication providers.