Imagine our surprise as Rene Obermann, Deutsche Telekom CEO says the sale of T-Mobile USA is on track. Speaking to shareholders at DT’s annual general meeting he expects the deal to close in the first half of 2012.

While he remains confident, I’m slightly more optimistic after yesterdays Senate hearing. Assuming for the moment that our nations leaders aren’t simply in AT&T’s back pocket, it was a clear showing that the deal won’t be rubber stamped. Ultimately the deal may very well be accepted and that’s still the general consensus around the interwebs but still, watching AT&T’s CEO squirm under fire was enjoyable.

Reuters