Carriers look to next US administration

election might play a decisive role if there are more large service-provider mergers, said Matthew Cantor, an attorney at Constantine Cannon, who also spoke on the panel. In particular, a carrier's attempt to buy a satellite TV broadcaster would raise tough competition issues, he said.

"Under a Bush administration, I think clearly the deal's going to go through. I think under an Obama administration, it might be a harder sell," Cantor said.