For Immediate Release
November 2, 2006 Media Contact: Margaret Boles
COMPTEL
(202) 296-6650
(202) 296-7585
COMPTEL Applauds FCC for Removing Proposed AT&T/BellSouth Merger from
Agenda
WASHINGTON, DC November 2, 2006 -- FCC late today removed the proposed
AT&T/BellSouth merger from the agenda for tomorrow's open meeting. The
following statement may be attributed to Earl Comstock, COMPTEL's
President and CEO:
"COMPTEL applauds the FCC for choosing not to consider the proposed
merger of AT&T and BellSouth at its Nov. 3 open meeting. Given AT&T's
failure thus far to make a good faith effort to address legitimate
public interest concerns, COMPTEL is heartened that the Commission did
not bend to AT&T's pressure tactics. It remains to be seen whether AT&T
ever engaged in any meaningful attempt to resolve those concerns but we
look forward to seeing what, if any, last-minute proposals they may have
made to the Commission.
"Despite the FCC's best efforts to conclude that this transaction is
in the public interest, COMPTEL fully expects that the Commission will
take the next steps designated under federal law. The law mandates
that when the Commission is unable to reach a decision on the public
interest merits of a proposed merger, the matter is to be put before
an administrative law judge for hearing and recommendation on whether
the merger promotes the public interest. We look forward to continuing
to work with the Commission to ensure that, if the merger is approved,
it is done so with conditions which protect the public interest."
* * * * *
About COMPTEL
COMPTEL is the leading industry association representing communications
service providers and their supplier partners. Based in Washington,
D.C., COMPTEL advances its member's business through policy advocacy and
through education, networking and trade shows. COMPTEL members are
entrepreneurial companies building and deploying next-generation
networks to provide competitive voice, data, and video services. COMPTEL
members create economic growth and improve the quality of life of all
Americans through technological innovation, new services, affordable
prices and customer choice. COMPTEL members share a common objective:
advancing communications through innovation and open networks. For more
information, call COMPTEL at 202/296-6650.
Comptel Press Release (comptel@telecom-digest.org)