Lockyer Backs SBC-AT&T; Deal

California antitrust enforcers said SBC Communications Inc.’s proposed $16-billion purchase of AT&T; Corp. was unlikely to harm competition for most products.

In an advisory opinion filed Friday with state regulators, which are reviewing the transaction, Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer recommended only one condition of approval: a one-year pricing freeze for some high-capacity phone and data lines purchased from AT&T; by competing telecommunications companies.

San Antonio-based SBC said it was pleased that Lockyer found “there are no overriding impediments” to approval by regulators in California.