AT&T Inc. is approaching smaller rivals in an effort to sell spectrum and subscribers as part of an attempt to save its proposed $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile USA Inc., Bloomberg reported.

AT&T has reached out to MetroPCS Communications Inc., Leap Wireless International Inc., CenturyLink Inc., Dish Network Corp. and Sprint Nextel Corp. to gauge their interest in buying assets, Bloomberg said, citing sources who asked not to be identified.

AT&T is attempting to salvage its agreement to acquire T-Mobile USA after the U.S. Justice Department sued on Aug. 31 to stop the deal.

AT&T, which would become the largest U.S. wireless operator with the purchase, has said it will fight the Justice Department in court and has asked for an expedited hearing for the case.

Sprint, the third-biggest U.S. mobile operator, filed a Sept. 6 antitrust lawsuit against the T-Mobile deal.