Deutsche Telekom and AT&T have announced they will continue to look for a positive conclusion to the sale of the Germany-based operator’s wireless subsidiary to its US competitor.

On Tuesday, the US regulator, the FCC, announced it was circulating a proposed order that would designate the sale of T-Mobile USA to AT&T for hearing.

DT and AT&T consequently withdrew the pending FCC applications relating to the sale.

In a statement, the two companies said the decision was made “to consolidate [our] strength and to focus [our] continuing efforts on obtaining antitrust clearance for the transaction from the US Department of Justice.”

It continued: “As soon as practical, Deutsche Telekom and AT&T intend to seek the necessary FCC approval.”

The latest wrangling is a further setback to the protracted €27 billion sale that was first announced in March.

At the end of August, the FCC said it was blocking the sale on anticompetitive grounds. DT and AT&T make up two of the big four mobile operators in the US.