AT&T - SBC Merger Stinks

The merger of A T & T and Bell South is unfortunately dangerously close to approval by the FCC. While I'm very much a pro business conservative, the consequences of this merger on Central Texas will be devistating. It will effectively reinstate the communications monopoly, which the US Government via the FCC and DOJ dismantled not so many years ago. Communication Customers endured many great pains with the hope we might achieve a competitive market for telecom services.

My recent experiences in dealing with A T & T have opened my eyes to current state of telecom services in Austin, Texas.

There are no alternatives for services!

Instead of a free market, A T & T is free to offer services and assess fees indiscriminately. They are so bold as to market very attractive programs to everyone, but when existing customers attempt to take advantage of the programs, they are notified they are not eligible. Dissatisfied telecom customers have no alternatives. If this is happening before the merger is complete, can you imagine what we have to look forward to?

Instead of allowing this merger, it would be better to remove entry barriers for competitors like Verizon, Embarq or Quest, who could provide service alternatives. Allowing this merger will not benefit in any way the customers served by the merging companies. Instead it will remove any remaining competition, enriching a chosen few.

Albert Kruzel

Austin, TX