FCC Approves AT&T BellSouth Merger As the gossip this morning suggested, the FCC has approved the merger of AT&T and BellSouth. The official press release, and statements from all of the commissioners are available at the official FCC website. In a joint statement, the FCC's Republican commissioners lauded the deal, saying it would "accelerate deployment of broadband and IPTV," "enhance national security," and serve the public interest. Democratic Commissioner Copps called the long delayed decision a "strange and tortured odyssey," which ultimately resulted in a "modest victory for American consumers."
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 |  |  BBC4544
join:2002-03-12
Saint Peters, MO | Re: Official release info from FCC web site Yeah!!!! | |
| |  EnasYorlThieves World
join:2001-12-02
West
1 edit | "RISE! and fulfil your DESTINY!!" | |
| |  birdfeedrPremium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
kudos:5 | CLIFF NOTES™ for those who want to skip right to the rant!
Martin & Tate said (paraphrasing) "We wanted the merger with no conditions."
Copps and Adelstein said (paraphrasing) "We wanted more concessions, but got the best we could hope for."
Martin & Tate continued with "We'll keep fighting for big business at any cost. At least we got the merger."
Copps and Adelstein said "We want you to think we're looking out for the little guys. After the 2, or 3, or 4 year agreement expires, it's up to somebody else to make sense of this mess and let Congress get its act together. We gave you (and them) a little breathing room." | |
| |  Michieru2zzz zzz zzzPremium
join:2005-01-28
Miami, FL | I guess yall won this battle. I am just going to sit and watch from afar and try to understand your points of view on this one.
I seriously hope yall correct on this merger, but I guess my own thinking simply tells me otherwise. | |
| | |  Romney2012Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe inPremium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4 | Re: Official release info from FCC web site said by Michieru2:I guess yall won this battle. I am just going to sit and watch from afar and try to understand your points of view on this one. I seriously hope yall correct on this merger, but I guess my own thinking simply tells me otherwise. In the new global economy, only the extra large survive. It isn't best for PURE capitalism, but it is the world we live in. Many foreign countries and companies never had the ethic of capitalistic competition. Their socialist governments put huge government resources behind their companies and that has changed forever the course of competition. So the US has had to adapt and I am sure the FCC commissioners(even the Dems) are aware of this reality.
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My BLOG
My Web Page | |
| | | | Zoder
join:2002-04-16
Miami, FL | Re: Official release info from FCC web site That's a fact for many of our industries, but realistically, the old Bell companies don't compete with foreign competitors in this country, they compete with domestic cable companies. | |
| | | | | Romney2012Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe inPremium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4 | Re: Official release info from FCC web site said by Zoder:That's a fact for many of our industries, but realistically, the old Bell companies don't compete with foreign competitors in this country, they compete with domestic cable companies. Yes NOW, but mostly because they grew so big as a defensive mechanism. T-Mobile is foreign owned. Sprint was almost bought up by Deutch Telekom until US legislators went nuts. British Telecom tried to buy MCI. There would have been other possible takeovers of old baby Bells if they hadn't merged and if US Congressional pressure hadn't cancelled the deals.
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My BLOG
My Web Page | |
| | | | | | | | Went VoIP just today! How proud I am to ditch AT&T on this day of infamy  | |
| | | | | | | | Re: Official release info from FCC web site said by Romney2012:Yes NOW, but mostly because they grew so big as a defensive mechanism. T-Mobile is foreign owned. Sprint was almost bought up by Deutch Telekom until US legislators went nuts. British Telecom tried to buy MCI. There would have been other possible takeovers of old baby Bells if they hadn't merged and if US Congressional pressure hadn't cancelled the deals. Hmmmm, that's just bullshit! But maybe letting foreign companies buy out US Telcos would result in a more competitive environment benefiting us/US consumers more in the long run. Foreign firms wouldn't be hampered by the old Telco philosophies, and their ways of NOT doing things. We might even see state of the art systems in place if foreign owned firms, not beholden to ancient, out-dated technology, bloated depreciation schedules, and a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, were allowed to enter the marketplace.
There is certainly no security problem left to discuss since AT&T and Verizon have decided to turn over all real-time traffic to the NSA without warrant, or Court supervision. Hell, selling to foreign interests may offer better protection because European privacy laws are tougher on government spying than our suddenly fucked-up system has become. Yeah, I know their laws don't apply in this country, but their conduct is more likely to be influenced by their home country rules than the suddenly superfluous provisions of our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
I don't see any hope for U.S. consumers in the outcome of this merger approval. OUR interests have been roundly trampled by malfeasant, corrupt political appointees. | |
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 MattAll noise, no signal.Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12 | Well Dun, dun, dun, dun, daa, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, daaa, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, daa, dun, dun ....
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Use the OS tool for the job. | |
| |  The BeerI Love It When A Plan Comes TogetherPremium
join:2001-07-24
Atlantic, IA | Re: Well said by Matt:Dun, dun, dun, dun, daa, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, daaa, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, daa, dun, dun .... What is sad as I had to hum it to verify it's accuracy. | |
| | | MattAll noise, no signal.Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12 | Re: Well said by The Beer:said by Matt:Dun, dun, dun, dun, daa, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, daaa, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, daa, dun, dun .... What is sad as I had to hum it to verify it's accuracy. That means you rule. 
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Use the OS tool for the job. | |
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mwf
join:2000-11-26
Granite Quarry, NC | 1984 So AT&T is back where is was when the government broke it up in 1984? | |
| | MousePM
join:2005-07-20
White Bluff, TN | FINALLY! DSL FOR ME! DIE ISDN DIE | |
| | | dsless
join:2001-05-16
Pittsburgh, PA | Re: FINALLY! What if ISDN is all you could get?  | |
| | | | | | Re: FINALLY! said by dsless:What if ISDN is all you could get? Has to be a min of 200kps according to the concessions. Best you get with isdn is 128. I am going to cross my fingers that they run fiber out my way but I won't hold my breath. I'm between two CO's 30k feet from both. I'm on isdn now. I don't want sat so I'm hoping I'm in the build out area...
Later
JimC | |
| | | | | | | | | | |  CoronaIt's cool, I'm takin it backPremium
join:2000-03-14
Dallas, TX
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| Re: FINALLY! said by David:Well I find if we did go back to AT&T wireless it won't be like it's predecessor. SBC/Bellsouth at the time bought all of AT&T wireless then. I am kind of hoping they keep the cingular name, but I am not betting on it... Rumor round the campfire is back to AT&T Wireless.
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| | | |  burn1outRaw HorsepowerPremium
join:2000-12-12
Meridianville, AL
1 edit | Since it includes wireless and satellite technology as well, not so good. I'm not sure they'll roll it out like I(and others) wish they would. So much for good latency. | |
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| MattAll noise, no signal.Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12 | Re: 1984 said by mwf:So AT&T is back where is was when the government broke it up in 1984? Only half their original strength, much like the Death Star in Return of the Jedi:
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT&T
Of the 24 Bell Operating Companies which AT&T owned or in which it held a minority interest prior to the 1984 federally mandated split of the company, 12 will be a part of the new AT&T Inc. upon the completion of their proposed acquisition of BellSouth announced on March 5, 2006
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Use the OS tool for the job. | |
| | |  intellerSociopaths always win.
join:2003-12-08
Tulsa, OK | Re: 1984 so who is going to fly to endor to take out the shield generator? I dont want to deal with fucking ewoks! | |
| | | | | | | | sysghostPremium
join:2001-02-11
Hernando, MS | how can you resist those adorable ewoks? (goes back to hiding under his ewok sheets) | |
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| |  pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | said by Matt:Only half their original strength, much like the Death Star in Return of the Jedi: Wasn't the 2nd Death Star more powerful than the first?
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Only SHATNER is Kirk. | |
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| | | Well, they still have to merge with VZ.. but sooner or later.. | |
| | | MattAll noise, no signal.Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12 | Re: 1984 said by chemaupr:Well, they still have to merge with VZ.. but sooner or later.. Qwest too right?
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Use the OS tool for the job. | |
| | | | Michieru2zzz zzz zzzPremium
join:2005-01-28
Miami, FL | Re: 1984 You forgot Embarq. | |
| | | | | Zoder
join:2002-04-16
Miami, FL | Re: 1984 Sprint-Embarq was never a baby bell. | |
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| |  quetwoThat VoIP GuyPremium
join:2004-09-04
East Lansing, MI | VZ = Mostly GTE. GTE was not apart of the Bell system. | |
| | | |  ieolusSupport The Clecs
join:2001-06-19
Duluth, GA | Re: 1984 Uhh.. Verizon is mostly the old Nynex and Bell Atlantic, if you can quantify *mostly*.
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"Speak for yourself "Chadmaster" - lesopp | |
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|  AlpinePremium
join:2000-01-11
Atlanta, GA | said by mwf:So AT&T is back where is was when the government broke it up in 1984? Only if one has absolutely zero understanding of the telecommuniations industry in 2006/2007.
Adam | |
| | |  swaff
join:2000-07-16
Normal, IL | Re: 1984 said by Alpine:said by mwf:So AT&T is back where is was when the government broke it up in 1984? Only if one has absolutely zero understanding of the telecommuniations industry in 2006/2007. Adam And the industry in 1983-84 as well. Think Lucent, Avaya, Bell Labs....... | |
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| | Join the bandwagon, Verizon! Please come home Verizon, your family misses you  | |
| | | | Re: Join the bandwagon, Verizon! Nah. While SBC figures out what arm to chop off and feed on itself, Verizon and the cable co's have a better chance now to show some teeth and claws and expand business. The merger will put a screeching halt on many projects and people's professional lives and as such customers of both SBC and BLS will suffer.
Bigger is not necessarily better. Stars grow huge and consume most of their planets just before they blow up and die. | |
| | | intellerSociopaths always win.
join:2003-12-08
Tulsa, OK | Re: Join the bandwagon, Verizon! i predict verizon withh buy US cellular and simultaneously merge with centurytel and spin that off into wireline only, like what Alltel did (smart move btw). | |
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 ropeguruPremium
join:2001-01-25
Mechanicsville, VA | One more step closer to total monopoly... Give it a few more years for more people to forget and big business to get an even further foothold, and you will see only one lanlind and cellular telco giant.
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FWD#: 223611 | |
| |  shamblerYEAH-That's the ticket..Premium
join:2000-09-19
Miami, FL | Re: One more step closer to total monopoly... That's ALWAYS whay they are constantly and feverishly working for...
NO CHOICE for the consumer, and WINDFALLS for the MONOPOLIES...
All sanctioned by the paid off FCC!! | |
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The BeerI Love It When A Plan Comes TogetherPremium
join:2001-07-24
Atlantic, IA | Goodbye Cingular! Welcome Back AT&T Wireless!
Ahh both suck(ed). | |
| | AlpinePremium
join:2000-01-11
Atlanta, GA | Re: Goodbye Cingular! It should be more like Cingular than it was the original ATT Wireless. I had nothing but probs with ATT Wireless, nothing but positives with Cingular.
Adam | |
| | |  metrodustHey Thats Mine
join:1999-12-10
Seattle, WA | Re: Goodbye Cingular! the old att wireless is dead. | |
| | | | | | Re: Goodbye Cingular! Come on...the logo is still blue. | |
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| | | The old ATT wireless worked great with me Cingular is cool but no ATTWS | |
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 tshirtPremium,MVM
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA
kudos:3 | "enhance national security," ? "enhance national security,"
that means instant ,warrant free access to phone and internet traffic in the CIA/FBI/NSA/homeland security dept. backroom across both territory's? | |
| | Stumbles
join:2002-12-17
Port Saint Lucie, FL | Re: "enhance national security," ? Yeah really. National security my backend. Someone really needs to knock our public servants in the head or at least give them some quarters to buy a clue. Lame lame lame.
Well it is winter time and apparently is HAS SNOWED in the FCC offices. | |
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| | Bellsouth website I see they wasted no time updating the Bellsouth website. They were just waiting on the offical word so they could click "save".
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Myspace | |
| | | | |  Toguro
join:2003-10-23
Ottawa, IL | Re: Bellsouth website They left out the part about the monthly ass raping you know when you get your bill. | |
| | | |  morboComplete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000 | Re: Bellsouth website i think the profuse bleeding will be the clue consumers get when it's already too late to do anything about it. | |
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 gatorkramKaBOOM BabyPremium
join:2002-07-22
Winterville, NC
kudos:2 | um, what? "enhance national security,"
I got a kick out of that line.
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Give me bandwidth or give me death! | |
| | | | Re: um, what? You will see bonuses for all the shareholders upcoming now they can breath lol. | |
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bmn? ? ?Premium,ExMod 2003-06
join:2001-03-15
hiatus | And the reasonable people in the house say... "Big whoop!"
Nothing really fantastic is going to come out of this for Bellsouth customers based on everything published, including the concessions document from the other day since Bellsouth already had or was working on most of the things that ATT agreed to...
UVerse... Bellsouth was already working on their own version of it...
Naked DSL... Limited to 768kbps...
Broadband penetration rate... Already what Bellsouth had...
Definitely a snow job if there ever was one in corporate mergers...
The shareholders are definitely dancing, but the customers aren't getting jack squat.
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Prove it... | |
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See 6 replies to this post | |
Reviews:
 ·Optimum Online
·Verizon FiOS
| Play it again Sam! This is not a good thing for the consumer! I just hope the cable company MSO's clean AT&T's clock with Docsis 3 and this will make my decade...! Just wait until people actually get to the point of being customers, then totally and completely disappointed with the service, SWITCH to the competition and STAY THERE, while they finally throw out all the dsl equipment and do things right, while totally revamping IPTV! | |
| | | Blah, blah, blah I read the Martin & Tate joint statement and in it it said (paraphrasing) "unbundled broadband service will be $19.95". AT&T already offers "naked" DSL at a premium without bundled service. I'm at a loss here  . | |
|  viperpa33sWhy Me?Premium
join:2002-12-20
Bradenton, FL | Who will they buy up next Wonders what is next for AT&T to buy up. The word is out that Dish Network will be next. They already have the south covered, maybe they will buy up Embarq or Verizon to grab the northeast.
The company is getting bigger by the moment and who knows what will happen next. When a company is that big and into everything, they have a lot of control over what goes on behind the scenes. | |
| | | | Re: Who will they buy up next ATT will prolly go after the areas VZ doesnt want. | |
| | patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
kudos:1 | said by viperpa33s:Wonders what is next for AT&T to buy up. The word is out that Dish Network will be next. They already have the south covered, maybe they will buy up Embarq or Verizon to grab the northeast. Embarq, seems like the kind of territory ATT likes to have. Verizon is too big to be taken over, plus its wireless division is useless (CDMA vs GSM). Verizon is still Ma Bellish. Verizon may buy ATT for all we know in some years. | |
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kcir
join:2005-07-30
Butner, NC | Rotary phones back in style ? Does this mean soon all I'll be able to connect again to my home phone line is an AT+T rented black rotary phone ? | |
| | kcir
join:2005-07-30
Butner, NC | Re: Rotary phones back in style ? Oh remember if you connect up an illegal phone make certain you disconnect the ringer... that's how they can tell if you have more than one's you officially rented from them connected on their network. | |
| | | | | Re: Rotary phones back in style ? means prices will go up. also means bigger network. bellsouth will route traffic to ATT. | |
| | | | patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
kudos:1 | Re: Rotary phones back in style ? said by rob2006:means prices will go up. also means bigger network. bellsouth will route traffic to ATT. ATT CLEC and SBC ILEC IP backbones still arent merged. Horizontal integration is greek to ATT. | |
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| | directv, qwest BellSouth resells Directv. So with this buyout, would they switch to Dish Network, since at&t resells it? So Directv would not make as much money now if this is true. Plus, if I can remember correctly, Qwest gets a lot of business from BellSouth. | |
| | | List of concessions? Anyone have the list of concessions they had to make? | |
| | | | | | Ok, reading through the documents:
1. Committed to make DSL available to every customer in their service area by the end of 2007. This doesn't exclude rural areas, they are committed to at least 30% of the new deployment being in sparsely populated areas. Also:
And the company has agreed to at least accelerate its fiber build-out for the AT&T region by acknowledging its intention to pass at least one and a half million homes in the BellSouth region with fiber facilities
by the end of 2007. The new company will need to come back to the FCC at the end of next year to tell us whether it has met its responsibility. 2. Committed to provide a new customers a $10 DSL package that includes a free modem, and provide a standalone $20 DSL package (for those without a bundled service) -- Does this mean dry DSL? Yes, this means there is a required $20 Dry DSL package.
3. Required to lower wholesale DS1, DS3 and Ethernet prices to "some" competitors. (Apparently won't apply to other phone companies unless they also lower their wholesale prices). Basically re-institutes price caps. This also applies to special services and will prohibit certain anti-competitive contract terms.
4. AT&T is now obligated legally to be Net-Neutral. Also, the merged entity is required to maintain existing peering arrangements for 3 years.
The condition builds upon the four principles of net neutrality unanimously adopted by this Commission and made enforceable in the context of the Bell mergers completed last year.In addition to the company’s compliance with these four principles, the condition agreed to by the merged entity includes a fifth principle that requires the company to maintain a “neutral network and neutral routing” of internet traffic between the customer’s home or office and the Internet peering point where traffic hits the Internet backbone. 5. Obligated to divest their 2.5 GHz spectrum licenses and use their 2.3 Ghz licenses or forfeit them, these licenses will be used to deploy WIMAX to a specific level of build out by 2010.
I am therefore pleased that the company has agreed to divest its 2.5 GHz spectrum licenses within 12 months and to use its 2.3 GHz spectrum licenses in a timely manner or forfeit this spectrum as well. 6. To ensure voice competition on the existing copper network, they agreed to allow the portability of interconnection agreements.
To mitigate this concern, the merged entity has agreed to allow the portability of interconnection agreements and to ensure that the process of reaching such agreements is streamlined. 7. AT&T will repatriate 3000 jobs from overseas, with at least 200 of those jobs in New Orleans.
8. AT&T will donate $1million to charity to promote public safety. (appears focused on network safety)
9. Will produce a report on it's service to customers with disabilities.
10. Company has agreed not to use FCC forbearance procedures to evade or frustrate any of the commitments.
11. If the current court proceedings impose additional requirements they will come back to the FCC to ensure that the remedies are addressed adequately.
I believe this is a complete summary of the concessions, feel free to add others. | |
| | | | Repatriation of Jobs to the U.S.
PromotinL Accessibility of Broadband Service
Mer2er Commitments
For the avoidance of doubt, unless otherwise expressly stated to the contrary, all conditions and
commitments proposed in this letter are enforceable by the FCC and would apply in the
AT&TBellSouth in-region territory, as defined herein, for a period of forty-two months from the
Merger Closing Date and would automatically sunset thereafter.
AT&T/BellSouth' is committed to providing high quality employment opportunities in the U.S.
In order to further this commitment, AT&TBellSouth will repatriate 3,000 jobs that are
currently outsourced by BellSouth outside of the U.S . This repatriation will be completed by
December 31, 2008. At least 200 of the repatriated jobs will be physically located within the
New Orleans, Louisiana MSA.
1 .
By December 31, 2007, AT&T/BellSouth will offer broadband Internet access service
(i.e., Internet access service at speeds in excess of 200 kbps in at least one direction) to 100
percent of the residential living units in the AT&TBellSouth in-region territory. 2 To meet this
commitment, AT&T/BellSouth will offer broadband Internet access services to t least 85
percent of such living units using wireline technologies (the "Wireline Buildout Area").
AT&T/BellSouth will make available broadband Internet access service to the remaining living
units using alternative technologies and operating arrangements, including but not limited to
satellite and Wi-Max fixed wireless technologies . AT&TBellSouth further commits that at least
30 percent of the incremental deployment after the Merger Closing Date necessary to achieve the
Wireline Buildout Area commitment wi11 be to rural areas or low income living units. 3
2 .
AT&T/BellSouth will, provide an ADSL modem without charge (except for shipping and
handling) to residential subscribers within the Wireline Buildout Area who, between July 1,'
2007, and June 30, 2008, replace their AT&T/BellSouth dial-up Internet access service with
1 AT&TBellSouth refers to AT&T Inc., BellSouth Corporation, and their affiliates that provide domestic
wireline or Wi-Max fixed wireless services .
2 As used herein, the "AT&TBellSouth in-region territory" means the areas in which an AT&T or
BellSouth operating company is the incumbent local exchange carrier, as defined in 47 U.S.C. §
251(h)(1)(A) and (B)(i) . "AT&T in-region territory" means the area in which an AT&T operating
company is the incumbent local exchange carrier, as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 251(h)(1)(A) and (B)(i), and
"BellSouth in-region territory" means the area in which a BellSouth operating company is the incumbent
local exchange carrier, as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 251(h)(1)(A) and (B)(i) .
3 For purposes of this commitment, a low income living unit shall mean a living unit in
AT&T/BellSouth's in-region territory with an average annual income of less than $35,000, determined
consistent with Census Bureau data, see California Public Utilities Code section 58900)(2) (as added by
AB 2987) (defining low income households as those with annual incomes below $35,000), and a rural
area shall consist of the zones in AT&T/Bell South's in-region territory with the highest deaveraged UNE
loop rates as established by the state commission consistent with the procedures set forth in section
51 .507 of the Commission's rules. 47 C.F.R. § 51 .507.
AT&T/BellSouth's ADSL service and elect a term plan for their ADSL service of twelve months
or greater.
3.
Within six months of the Merger Closing Date, and continuing for at least 30 months
from the inception of the offer, AT&T/BellSouth will offer to retail consumers in the Wireline
Buildout Area, who have not previously subscribed to AT&T's or BellSouth's ADSL service, a
broadband Internet access service at a speed of up to 768 Kbps at a monthly rate (exclusive of
any applicable taxes and regulatory fees) of $ 10 per month.
Statement of Video Roll-Out Intentions
AT&T is committed to providing, and has expended substantial resources to provide, a broad
array of advanced video programming services in the AT&T in-region territory. These advanced
video services include Uverse, on an integrated IP platform, and HomeZone, which integrates
advanced broadband and satellite services. Subject to obtaining all necessary authorizations to
do so, AT&T/BellSouth intends to bring such services to the BellSouth in-region territory in a
manner reasonably consistent with AT&T's roll-out of such services within the AT&T in-region
territory. In order to facilitate the provision of such advanced video services in the BellSouth inregion
territory, AT&T/BellSouth will continue to deploy fiber-based facilities and intends to
have the capability to reach at least 1 .5 million homes' in the BellSouth in-region territory by the
end of 2007. AT&T/BellSouth agrees to provide a written report to the Commission by
December 31, 2007, describing progress made in obtaining necessary authorizations to roll-out,
and the actual roll-out of, such advanced video services in the BellSouth in-region territory.
Public Safety, Disaster Recovery
1 .
By June 1, 2007, AT&T will complete the steps necessary to allow it to make its disaster
recovery capabilities available to facilitate restoration of service in BellSouth's in-region
territory in the event of an extended service outage caused by a hurricane or other disaster.
2.
In order to further promote public safety, within thirty days of the Merger Closing Date,
AT&T/BellSouth will donate $l million to a section 501(c)(3) foundation or public entities for
the purpose of promoting public safety.
Service to Customers with Disabilities
AT&T/BellSouth has a long and distinguished history of serving customers with disabilities.
AT&T/BellSouth commits to provide the Commission, within 12 months of the Merger Closing
Date, a report describing its efforts to provide high quality service to customers with disabilities.
UNEs
1 .
The AT&T and BellSouth ILECs shall continue to offer and shall not seek any increase
in state-approved rates for UNEs or collocation that are in effect as of the Merger Closing Date.
For purposes of this commitment, an increase includes an increased existing surcharge or a new
surcharge unless such new or increased surcharge is authorized by the applicable interconnection
agreement or tariff, and by the relevant state commission. This commitment shall not limit the
ability of the AT&T and BellSouth ILECs and any other telecommunications carrier to agree
voluntarily to any different UNE or collocation rates.
2 .
AT&T/BellSouth shall recalculate its wire center calculations for the number of business lines
and fiber-based collocations and, for those that no longer meet the non-impairment thresholds
established in 47 CFR §§ 51 .319(a) and (e), provide appropriate loop and transport access. In
identifying wire centers in which there is no impairment pursuant to 47 CFR §§ 51s319(a) and (e), the
merged entity shall exclude the following: (i) fiber-based collocation arrangements established by
AT&T or its affiliates; (ii) entities that do not operate (i.e., own or manage the optronics on the fiber)
their own fiber into and out of their own collocation arrangement but merely cross-connect to fiberbased
collocation arrangements; and (iii) special access lines obtained by AT&T from BellSouth as of
the day before the Merger Closing Date.
3 .
AT&T/BellSouth shall cease all ongoing or threatened audits of compliance with the
Commission's EELs eligibility criteria (as set forth in the Supplemental Order Clarification's
significant local use requirement and related safe harbors, and the Triennial Review Order's high
capacity EEL eligibility criteria), and shall not initiate any new EELS audits.
Reducing Transaction Costs Associated with Interconnection Agreements
1 .
The AT&T/BellSouth ILECs-shall make available to any requesting telecommunications
carrier any entire effective interconnection agreement, whether negotiated or arbitrated, that an
AT&T/BellSouth ILEC entered into in any state in the AT&T/BellSouth 22-state ILEC operating
territory, subject to state-specific pricing and performance plans and technical feasibility, and
provided, further, that an AT&T/BellSouth ILEC shall not be obligated to provide pursuant to
this commitment any interconnection arrangement or UNE unless it is feasible to provide, given
the technical, network, and OSS attributes and limitations in, and is consistent with the laws and
regulatory requirements of, the state for which the request is made.
2.
The AT&T/BellSouth ILECs shall not refuse a request by a telecommunications carrier to
opt into an agreement on the ground that the agreement has not been amended to reflect changes
of law, provided the requesting telecommunications carrier agrees to negotiate in good faith an
amendment regarding such change of law immediately after it has opted into the agreement .
3 .
The AT&T/BellSouth ILECs shall allow a requesting telecommunications carrier to use
its pre-existing interconnection agreement as the starting point for negotiating a new agreement.
4.
The AT&T/BellSouth ILECs shall permit a requesting telecommunications carrier to
extend its current interconnection agreement, regardless of whether its initial term has expired,
for a period of up to three years, subject to amendment to reflect prior and future changes of law.
During this period, the interconnection agreement may be terminated only via the carrier's
request unless terminated pursuant to the agreement's "default" provisions.
Special Access
Each of the following special access commitments shall remain in effect until 48 months from
the Merger Closing Date.
l .
AT&T/BellSouth affiliates that meet the definition of a Bell operating company in
section 3(4)(A) of the Act ("AT&TBellSouth BOCs")4 will implement; in the AT&T and
BellSouth Service Areas, 5 the Service Quality Measurement Plan for Interstate Special Access
Services ("the Plan"), similar to that set forth in the SBC/AT&T Merger Conditions, as described
herein and in Attachment A. The AT&T/BellSouth BOCs shall provide the Commission with
performance measurement results on a quarterly basis, which shall consist of data collected
according to the performance measurements listed therein . Such reports shall be provided in an
Excel spreadsheet format and shall be designed to demonstrate the AT&T/BellSouth BOCs'
monthly performance in delivering interstate special access services within each of the states in
the AT&T and BellSouth Service Areas . These data shall be reported on an aggregated basis for
interstate special access services delivered to (i) AT&T and BellSouth section 272(a) affiliates,
(ii) their BOC and other affiliates, and (iii) non-affiliates. 6 The AT&TBellSouth BOCs shall
provide performance measurement results (broken down on a monthly basis) for each quarter to
the Commission by the 45th day after the end of the quarter . The AT&T/BellSouth BOCs shall
implement the Plan for the first full quarter following the Merger Closing Date. This
commitment shall terminate on the earlier of (i) 48 months and 45 days after the beginning of the
first full quarter following the Merger Closing Date (that is, when AT&T/BellSouth files its 16th
quarterly report); or (ii) the effective date of a Commission order adopting performance
measurement requirements for interstate special access services:
2.
AT&T/BellSouth shall not increase ; the rates paid by existing customers (as of the Merger
Closing Date) of DS 1 and DS3 local private line services that it provides in the
AT&T/BellSouth in-region territory pursuant to, or referenced in, TCG FCC Tariff No . 2 above
their level as of the Merger Closing Date.
3 .
AT&T/BellSouth will not provide special access offerings to its wireline affiliates that
are not available to other similarly situated special access customers on the same terms and
conditions .
4.
To ensure that AT&T/BellSouth may not provide special access offerings to its affiliates
that are not available to other special access customers,: before AT&TBellSouth provides a new
or modified contract tariffed service under section 69.727(a) of the Commission's rules to its
own section 272(a) affiliate(s), it will certify to the Commission that it provides service pursuant
to that contract tariff to an unaffiliated customer other than Verizon Communications Inc ., or its
wireline affiliates . AT&TBellSouth also will not unreasonably discriminate in favor of its
affiliates in establishing the terms and conditions for grooming special access facilities.
4 For purposes of these commitments, AT&T Advanced Solutions, Inc. and the Ameritech Advanced Data
Services Companies, doing business collectively as "ASI," shall not be considered a BOC.
'For purposes of this commitment, "AT&T and BellSouth Service Areas" means the areas within
AT&TBellSouth's in-region territory in which the AT&T and-BellSouth ILECs-are Bell operating
companies as defined in 47 U.S .C. § 153(4)(A) .
6 BOC data shall not include retail data.
Neither this merger commitment nor any other merger commitment herein shall be construed to require
AT&TBellSouth to provide any service through a separate affiliate if AT&TBellSouth is not otherwise
required by law to establish or maintain such separate affiliate .
4
5.
No AT&T/BellSouth ILEC may increase the rates in its interstate tariffs, including
contract tariffs, for special access services that it provides in the AT&TBellSouth in-region
territory, as set forth in tariffs on file at the Commission on the Merger Closing Date, and as set
forth in tariffs amended subsequently in order to comply with the provisions of these
commitments:
6.
In areas within the AT&T/BellSouth in-region territory where an AT&T/BellSouth ILEC
has obtained Phase II pricing flexibility for price cap services ("Phase II areas"), such ILEC will
offer DS 1 and DS3 channel termination services; DS 1 and DS3 mileage services, and Ethernet
services, 8 that currently are offered pursuant to the Phase II Pricing Flexibility Provisions of its
special access tariffs,9 at rates that are no higher than, and on the same terms and conditions as,
its tariffed rates, terms, and conditions as of the Merger Closing Date for such services in areas
within its in-region territory where it has not obtained Phase II pricing flexibility. In Phase II
areas, AT&T/BellSouth also will reduce by 15% the rates in its interstate tariffs as of the Merger
Closing Date for Ethernet services that are not at that time subject to price cap regulation. The
foregoing commitments shall not apply to DS 1, DS3, or Ethernet services provided by an
AT&T/BellSouth ILEC to any other price cap ILEC, including any affiliate of such other price
cap ILEC,1 ° unless such other price cap ILEC offers DS1 and DS3 channel termination and
mileage services, and price cap Ethernet services in all areas in which it has obtained Phase II
pricing flexibility relief for such services (hereinafter "Reciprocal Price Cap Services'") at rates,
and on the terms and conditions, applicable to such services in areas in which it has not obtained
Phase II pricing flexibility for such services, nor shall AT&T/BellSouth provide the
aforementioned 15% discount to such price cap ILEC or affiliate thereof unless such ILEC
makes generally available a reciprocal discount for any Ethernet service it offers outside of price
cap regulation (hereinafter "Reciprocal Non-Price Cap Services"). Within 14 days of the Merger
Closing Date, AT&TBellSouth will provide notice of this commitment to each price cap ILEC
that purchases, or that has an affiliate that purchases, services subject to this commitment from
an AT&T/BellSouth ILEC. If within 30 days thereafter, such price cap ILEC does not: (i)
affirmatively inform AT&T/BellSouth and the Commission of its intent to sell Reciprocal Price
Cap Services in areas where it has received Phase II pricing flexibility for such services at the
rates, terms, and conditions that apply in areas where it has not received such flexibility, and to
provide a '15% discount on Reciprocal Non-Price Cap Services ; and (ii) file tariff revisions that
would implement such changes within 90 days of the Merger Closing Date (a "Non-
Reciprocating Carrier"), the AT&T/BellSouth ILECs shall be deemed by the FCC to have
'The Ethernet services subject to this commitment are AT&T's interstate OPT-E-MAN, GigaMAN and
DecaMAN services and BellSouth's interstate Metro Ethernet Service.
9 The Phase II Pricing Flexibility Provisions for DS 1 and DS3 services are those set forth in Ameritech
Tariff FCC No. 2, Section 21 ; Pacific Bell Tariff FCC No. l, Section 31; Nevada Bell Tariff FCC No. 1,
Section 22; Southwestern Bell Telephone Company Tariff FCC No . 73, Section 39; Southern New
England Telephone Tariff FCC No . 39, Section 24; and BellSouth Telecommunications Tariff FCC No.
1 ; Section 23 .
'° For purposes of this commitment, the term "price cap ILEC" refers to an incumbent local exchange
carrier that is subject to price cap regulation and all of its affiliates that are subject to price cap regulation .
The term "affiliate" means an affiliate as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 153(1) and is not limited to affiliates that
are subject to price cap regulation .
substantial cause to make any necessary revisions to the tariffs under which they provide the
services subject to this commitment to such Non-Reciprocating Carrier, including any affiliates,
to prevent or offset any change in the effective rate charged such entities for such services. The
AT&T/BellSouth ILECs will file all tariff revisions necessary to effectuate this commitment,
including any provisions addressing Non-Reciprocating Carriers and their affiliates, within 90
days from the Merger Closing Date.
7.
AT&T/BellSouth will not oppose any request by a purchaser of interstate special access
services for mediation by Commission staff of disputes relating to AT&T/BellSouth's
compliance with the rates, terms, and conditions set forth in its interstate special access tariffs
and pricing flexibility contracts or to the lawfulness of the rates, terms, and conditions in such
tariffs and contracts, nor shall AT&T/BellSouth oppose any request that such disputes be
accepted by the Commission onto the Accelerated Docket.
8 .
The AT&T/BellSouth ILECs will not include in any pricing flexibility contract or tariff
filed with the Commission after the Merger Closing Date access service ratio terms which limit
the extent to which customers may obtain transmission services as UNEs, rather than special
access services.
9.
Within 60 days after the Merger Closing Date, the AT&T/BellSouth ILECs will file one
or more interstate tariffs that' make available to customers of DS 1, DS3, and Ethernet service
reasonable volume and term discounts without minimum annual revenue commitments
(MARCs) or growth discounts. To the extent an AT&T/BellSouth ILEC files an interstate tariff
for DS 1, DS3, or Ethernet services with a varying MARC, it will at the same time file an
interstate tariff for such services with a fixed MARC. For purposes of these commitments, a
MARC is a requirement that the customer maintain a minimum specified level of spending for
specified services per year.
10.
If, during the course of any negotiation for an interstate pricing flexibility contract,
AT&T/BellSouth offers a proposal that includes a MARC, AT&T/BellSouth will offer an
alternative proposal that gives the customer the option of obtaining a volume and/or term
discount(s) without a MARC. If, during the course of any negotiation for an interstate pricing
flexibility contract, AT&T/BellSouth offers a proposal that includes a MARC that varies over the
life of the contract, AT&T/BellSouth will offer an alternative proposal that includes a fixed
MARC.
11 .
Within 14 days of the Merger Closing Date, the AT&T/BellSouth ILECs will give notice
to customers of AT&T/BellSouth with interstate pricing flexibility contracts that provide for a
MARC that varies over the life of the contract that, within 45 days of such notice, customers
may elect to freeze, for the remaining term of such pricing flexibility contract, the MARC in
effect as of the Merger Closing Date, provided that the customer also freezes, for the remaining
term of such pricing flexibility contract, the contract discount rate (or specified rate if the
contract sets forth specific rates rather than discounts off of referenced tariffed rates) in effect as
of the Merger Closing Date.
Transit Service
The AT&T and BellSouth ILECs will not increase the rates paid by existing customers for their
existing tandem transit service arrangements that the AT&T and BellSouth ILECs provide in the
AT&T/BellSouth in-region territory. I I
ADSL Service 12
1 .
Within twelve months of the Merger Closing Date, AT&T/BellSouth will deploy and
offer within the BellSouth in-region territory ADSL service to ADSL-capable customers without
requiring such customers to also purchase circuit switched voice grade telephone service.
AT&T/BellSouth will continue to offer this service in each state for thirty months after the
"Implementation Date" in that state . For purposes of this commitment, the "Implementation
Date" for a state shall be the date on which AT&T/BellSouth can offer this service to eighty
percent of the ADSL-capable premises in BellSouth's in-region territory in that state." Within
twenty days after meeting the Implementation Date in a state, AT&T/BellSouth will file a letter
with the Commission certifying to that effect . In all events, this commitment will terminate no
later than forty-two months after the Merger Closing Date.
2.
AT&T/BellSouth' will' extend until thirty months after the Merger Closing Date the
availability within AT&T's in-region territory of ADSL service, as described in the ADSL
Service Merger Condition, set forth in Appendix F of the SBC/AT&T Merger Order (FCC 05-
183) .
3 .
Within twelve months of the Merger Closing Date, AT&T/BellSouth will make available
in its in-region territory an ADSL service capable of speeds up to 768 Kbps to ADSL-capable
customers without requiring such customers to also purchase circuit switched voice grade
telephone service ("Stand Alone 768 Kbps service"). AT&T/BellSouth will continue to offer the
768 Kbps service in a state for thirty months after the "Stand Alone 768 Kbps Implementation
Date" for that state. For purposes of this commitment, the "Stand Alone 768 Kbps
Implementation Date" for a state shall be the date on which AT&T/BellSouth can offer the Stand
Alone 768 Kbps service to eighty percent of the ADSL-capable premises in AT&TBellSouth's
in-region territory in that state. The Stand Alone 768 Kbps service will be offered at a rate of not
more than $19.95 per month (exclusive of regulatory fees and taxes) . AT&T/BellSouth may
" Tandem transit service means tandem-switched transport service provided to an originating carrier in
order to indirectly send intraLATA traffic subject to § 251(b)(5) of the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, to a terminating carrier, and includes tandem switching functionality and tandem switched
transport functionality between an AT&T/BellSouth tandem switch location and the terminating carrier.
'2 The commitments set forth under the heading "ADSL Service" are, by their terms, available to retail
customers only. Wholesale commitments are addressed separately under the heading "ADSL
Transmission Service."
13 After meeting the implementation date in each state, AT&T/BellSouth will continue deployment so that
it can offer the service to all ADSL-capable premises in its in-region territory within twelve months of the
Merger Closing Date.
make available such services at other speeds at prices that are competitive with the broadband
market taken as a whole.
ADSL Transmission Service
AT&T/BellSouth will offer to Internet service providers, for their provision of broadband
Internet access service to ADSL-capable retail customer premises, ADSL transmission service in
the combined AT&T/BellSouth territory that is functionally the same as the service AT&T
offered within the AT&T in-region territory as of the Merger Closing Date. 14 Such wholesale
offering will be at a price not greater than the retail price in a state for ADSL service that
is separately purchased by customers who also subscribe to AT&T/BellSouth local telephone
service.
Net Neutrality
1 .
Effective on the Merger Closing Date, and continuing for 30 months thereafter,
AT&T/BellSouth will conduct business in a manner that comports with the principles set forth in
the Commission's Policy Statement, issued September 23, 2005 (FCC 05-151).
2.
AT&T/BellSouth also commits that it will maintain a neutral network and neutral routing
in its wireline broadband Internet access service. 15 This' commitment shall be satisfied by
AT&T/BellSouth's agreement not to provide or to sell to Internet content, application, or service
providers, including those affiliated with AT&T/BellSouth, any service that privileges, degrades
or prioritizes any packet transmitted over AT&T/BellSouth's wireline broadband Internet access
service based on its source, ownership or destination.
This commitment shall apply to AT&T/BellSouth's wireline broadband Internet access service
from the network side of the customer premise equipment up to and including the Internet
Exchange Point closest to the customer's premise, defined as the point of interconnection that is
logically, temporally or physically closest to the customer's premise where public or private
Internet backbone networks freely exchange Internet packets.
'a An ADSL transmission service shall be considered "functionally the same" as the service AT&T
offered within the AT&T in-region territory as of the Merger Closing Date if the ADSL transmission
service relies on ATM transport from the DSLAM (or equivalent device) to the interface with the Internet
service provider, and provides a maximum asymmetrical downstream speed of 1 .5Mbps or 3.OMbps, or a
maximum symmetrical upstream/downstream speed of 384Kbps or 416Kbps, where each respective
speed is available (the "Broadband ADSL Transmission Service"). Nothing in this commitment shall
require AT&T/BellSouth to serve any geographic areas it currently does not serve with Broadband ADSL
Transmission Service or to provide Internet service providers with broadband Internet access transmission
technology that was not offered by AT&T to such providers in its in-region territory as of the Merger
Closing Date .
's For purposes of this commitment, AT&T/BellSouth's wireline broadband Internet access service and its
Wi-Max fixed wireless broadband Internet access service are, collectively, AT&T/BellSouth's "wireline
broadband Internet access service."
This commitment does not apply to AT&T/BellSouth's enterprise managed IP services, defined
as services available only to enterprise customers 16 that are separate services from, and can be
purchased without, AT&T/BellSouth's wireline broadband Internet access service, including, but
not limited to, virtual private network (VPN) services provided to enterprise customers. This
commitment also does not apply to AT&T/BellSouth's Internet Protocol television (IPTV)
service. These exclusions shall not result in the privileging, degradation, or prioritization of
packets transmitted or received by AT&T/BellSouth's non-enterprise customers' wireline
broadband Internet access service from the network side of the customer premise equipment up
to and including the Internet Exchange Point closest to the customer's premise, as defined above.
This commitment shall sunset on the earlier of (1) two years from the Merger Closing Date, or
(2) the effective date of any legislation enacted by Congress subsequent to the Merger Closing
Date that substantially addresses "network neutrality" obligations of broadband Internet access
providers, including, but not limited to, any legislation that substantially addresses the
privileging, degradation, or prioritization of broadband Internet access traffic.
Internet Backbone
1 .
For a period of three years after the Merger Closing Date, AT&T/BellSouth will maintain
at least as many discrete settlement-free peering arrangements for Internet backbone services
with domestic operating entities within the United States as they did on the Merger Closing Date,
provided that the number of settlement-free peering arrangements that AT&T/BellSouth is
required to maintain hereunder shall be adjusted downward to account for any mergers,
acquisitions, or bankruptcies by existing peering entities or the voluntary election by a peering
entity to discontinue its peering, arrangement. If on the Merger Closing Date, AT&T and
BellSouth both maintain a settlement free peering arrangement for Internet backbone services
with the same entity (or an affiliate thereof), the separate arrangements shall count as one
settlement-free peering arrangement for purposes of determining the number of discrete peering
entities with whom AT&T/BellSouth must peer pursuant to this commitment. AT&T/BellSouth
may waive terms of its published peering policy to the extent necessary to maintain the number
of peering arrangements required by this commitment. . Notwithstanding the above, if within
three years after the Merger Closing Date, one of the ten largest entities with which
AT&T/BellSouth engages in settlement free peering for Internet backbone services (as measured
by traffic volume delivered to AT&T/BellSouth's backbone network facilities by such entity)
terminates its peering arrangement with AT&T/BellSouth for any reason (including bankruptcy,
acquisition, or merger), AT&T/BellSouth will replace that peering arrangement with another
settlement free peering arrangement and shall not adjust its total number of settlement free peers
downward as a result .
2.
Within thirty days after the Merger Closing Date, and continuing for three years
thereafter, AT&T/BellSouth will post its peering policy on a publicly accessible website. During
this three-year period, AT&T/BellSouth will post any revisions to its peering policy on a timely
basis as they occur.
'6 "Enterprise customers" refers to that class of customer identified as enterprise customers on AT&T's
website (http ://www.att.coLn) as of December 28, 2006.
Forbearance
l .
AT&T/BellSouth will not seek or give effect to a ruling, including through a forbearance
petition under section 10 of the Communications Act (the "Act") 47 U.S.C. 160, or any other
petition, altering the status of any facility being currently offered as a loop or transport UNE
under section 251(c)(3) of the Act.
2.
AT&T/BellSouth will not seek or give effect to any future grant of forbearance that
diminishes or supersedes the merged entity's obligations or responsibilities under these merger
commitments during the period in which those obligations are in effect .
Wireless
1.
AT&T/BellSouth shall assign and/or transfer to an unaffiliated third party all of the 2.5
GHz spectrum (broadband radio service (BRS)/educational broadband service (EBS)) currently
licensed to or leased by BellSouth within one year of the Merger Closing Date.
2.
By July 21, 2010, AT&T/BellSouth agrees to : (1) offer service in the 2.3 GHz band to
25% of the population in the service area of AT&TlBellSouth's wireless communications
services (WCS) licenses, for mobile or fixed point-to-multi-point services, or (2) construct a.t
least five permanent links per, one million people' in the service area of AT&T/BellSouth's WCS
licenses, for fixed point-to-point services . In the event AT&T/BellSouth`fails to meet either of
these service requirements, AT&T/BellSouth will forfeit the unconstructed portion of the
individual WCS licenses for which it did not meet either of these service requirements as of July .
21, 2010; provided, however, that in the event the Commission extends the July 21, 2010,
buildout date for 2.3 GHz service for the WCS industry at large ("Extended Date"), the July 21,
2010 buildout date specified herein shall be modified to conform to the Extended Date. The
wireless commitments set forth above do not apply to any 2.3 GHz wireless spectrum held by
AT&T/BellSouth in the state of Alaska.
Divestiture of Facilities
Within twelve months of the Merger Closing Date, AT&T/BellSouth will sell to an unaffiliated
third party(ies) an indefeasible right of use ("IRU") to fiber strands within the existing "Lateral
Connections," as that term is defined in the SBC/AT&T Consent Decree, 17 to the buildings listed
in Attachment B ("BellSouth Divestiture Assets") . These divestitures will be' effected in a
manner consistent with the divestiture framework agreed to in the SBCIAT&T Consent Decree,
provided that such divestitures will be subject to approval by the FCC, rather than the
Department of Justice.
Tunnev Act
AT&T is a party to a Consent Decree entered into following the merger of SBC and AT&T (the
"Consent Decree"). The Consent Decree documents the terms under which AT&T agreed to
' 7 See United States v. SBC Communications, Inc., Civil Action No. 1 :05CV02102, Final Judgment
(D .D.C. filed Oct. 27, 2005).
divest special access facilities serving 383 buildings within the former SBC in-region ILEC
territory (the "SBC Divestiture Assets") . In its Order approving the AT&T/SBC merger, the
Commission also required the divestiture of these same facilities on the terms and conditions
contained in the Consent Decree. The Consent Decree is currently under review pursuant to the
Tunney Act in the U.S . District Court for the District of Columbia (the "Court") in U.S. v. SBC
Communications, Inca and AT&T Corp., Civil Action No. 1 :05CV02102 (EGS) (D.D .C.) where
the Court is reviewing the adequacy of the remedy contained in the Consent Decree to address
the competitive concerns described in the Complaint filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
If it is found in a final, non-appealable order, that the remedy in the Consent Decree is not
adequate to address the concerns raised in the Complaint and AT&T and the DOJ agree to a
modification of the Consent Decree (the "Modified Consent Decree"), then AT&T agrees that
(1) AT&T/BellSouth will conform its divestiture of the BellSouth Divestiture Assets to the terms
of the Modified Consent Decree; and (2) AT&T/BellSouth will negotiate in good faith with the
Commission to determine whether the conditions imposed on AT&T/BellSouth in the
Commission order approving the merger of AT&T and BellSouth satisfies, with respect to the
BellSouth territory, the concerns addressed in the Modified Consent Decree.
Certification
AT&T/BellSouth shall annually file a declaration by an officer of the corporation attesting that
AT&T/BellSouth has substantially complied with the terms of these commitments in all material
respects. The first declaration shall be filed 45 days following the one-year anniversary of the
Merger Closing Date, and the second, third, and fourth declarations shall be filed one, two, and
three years thereafter, respectively . | |
| | | | | Re: List of concessions? have their entire network area, including rural areas, covered by the end of 2007? Pshh, like that's going to happen....
Long live Embarq...I hope they never fall to the likes of AT&T. | |
|
| |  Unemployment going up!
So, +36,000 people lose their jobs. Yeah! NOT | |
| | | Truthfully it changes nothing for the customer As long as there are only 2 providers max to each house (cable + bell), we'll see basically a cozy duopoly and no real competition.
The only way to see real competition is to force bells and cable to lease their line at a reasonable rate to other providers. So, since that ain't gonna happen, we'll be stuck in the slow lane for a while. As for ATT IPTV, I've looked at the prices, and they're not appealing. The 1.5/384 DSL line I get from ATT is good enough for me these days, so I guess that I just don't care. | |
| Reviews:
·Charter
| Enhance National Security Like I have said all along, this would happen and AT&T will continue to devour telecom companies and will have government backing in the name of national security because as long as AT&T gives the NSA free access to all their circuits they are a supporter of national security.
So remember that when you welcome our new telephonic overlords.
--
Fed Up With Stupidity?
Patentlystupid.com | |
| | | AT&T could aquire Verizon in the future Investors are not happy with Verizon FIOS roll out. Verizon is running into road blocks such as not knowing or maybe thinking it will be too expensive to wire up MDU buildings. The FIOS roll out could cost Verizon lots of money with little in return. As you all know a lot of people are not into internet or TV. This can cost Verizon to go into bankruptcy and make it an attractive acquisition target by AT&T which must likely could happen in the future so Ma Bell once again makes it's return | |
| | | | Re: AT&T could aquire Verizon in the future
Verizon in bankruptcy? Lol. Verizon is awash in money just from payments from customers every month. Get real. If anything, they will agree to merge with AT&T and then gobble up embarq. Which will, of course, result in Ma Bell Cackling with glee at all our doors:
"SO, FOOLS! You thought you were rid of me, did you? Well, I have news for you! I'm back and this time, there will be NO escape! You WILL pay and obey!" | |
| | | shamblerYEAH-That's the ticket..Premium
join:2000-09-19
Miami, FL | Re: AT&T could aquire Verizon in the future
The consumer just got shitted on again. More monopolies=less competition=higher prices. Same old story... | |
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Official release info from FCC web site
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