Amarillo CellTelCo v. Southwestern Bell Wireless, Inc., et al. Case No. 2-97 cv-357 (U.S.D.C., N.D. TX)

In 1997, Amarillo CellTelCo filed suit against Southwestern Bell subsidiaries and limited partnerships providing cellular service in Amarillo and other areas of Texas.

CellTelCo claimed that defendants’ refusal to enter into automatic roaming agreements with preferential rates was discriminatory, monopolistic, and anticompetitive, and thereby in violation of the Federal Communications Act and Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act.

On behalf of defendants, Gary French submitted an expert report in the litigation. He determined that the relevant market for CellTellCo’s antitrust claims is the market for switched, wireless, two-way mobile telephone service interconnected to the landline telephone network.

This service includes cellular telephone, personal communications, and enhanced specialized mobile radio service because these are good substitutes for one another.

Dr. French concluded that the defendants had not and could not monopolize the market, and did not exercise monopoly power. The case was settled soon after Dr. French’s report was submitted.