---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <2e503fd1-713f-9adb-983e-ebe64cce275a@horne.net> Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2017 11:52:40 -0500 From: Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net> Subject: AT&T says timing of Time Warner deal completion now uncertain (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice is pushing AT&T Inc for "structural remedies" in order to satisfy antitrust concerns over its purchase of Time Warner Inc, a source told Reuters on Wednesday. Structural remedies, which generally involve the sale of assets, represent a greater hurdle for AT&T than merely meeting conditions on what the company can and cannot do after the deal. The Justice Department's demand may complicate its continuing conversations with AT&T, which said on Wednesday it was now uncertain when the deal would be completed. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-time-warner-m-a/att-says-timing-of-time-warner-deal-completion-now-uncertain-idUSKBN1D81Z8 -- Bill Horne I'm looking for a job! All leads appreciated! ------------------------------ Message-ID: <26d50f14-cc83-53f8-ae6a-cb22b7675349@horne.net> Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2017 11:59:13 -0500 From: Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net> Subject: The merger between AT&T and Time Warner is a raw deal for the rest of us Posted yesterday by Sen. Al Franken It's long been impossible to imagine a family budget that doesn't include line items like electricity, gas, and groceries. Today, it's impossible to omit digital communications services like cable or satellite TV and high-speed broadband - both in your home and on your phone. The typical American household spends $2,700 on these items each year - despite the fact that many Americans often complain about the service they receive from their cable, internet, or cell phone provider. https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/07/the-merger-between-att-and-time-warner-is-a-raw-deal-for-the-rest-of-us/?ncid=mobilenavtrend -- Bill Horne I'm looking for a job! All leads appreciated! ------------------------------ Message-ID: <335a016f44bb8c63d9cc70a4fbbcd5fd.squirrel@email.fatcow.com> Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2017 12:53:41 -0600 From: "Neal McLain" <nmclain.remove-this@and-this-too.annsgarden.com> Subject: Comcast asks the FCC to make sure states can't pass their own net neutrality laws by Daniel Frankel, FierceCable, Nov 7, 2017 Comcast is lobbying the FCC, asking the agency to make it clear in its new net neutrality laws that states can't adopt different rules. "The Commission's order in this proceeding should include a clear, affirmative ruling that expressly confirms the primacy of federal law with respect to BIAS [broadband interstate access service] as an interstate information service, and that preempts state and local efforts to regulate BIAS either directly or indirectly," wrote Matthew Brill, an attorney for Latham & Watkins LLP representing Comcast, in a letter to FCC Secretary Marlene Dortch. http://www.fiercecable.com/cable/comcast-asks-fcc-to-make-sure-states-can-t-pass-their-own-net-neutrality-laws Neal McLain ------------------------------ Message-ID: <69db0b9b-f6a2-4724-ae26-e8c973d368b1@googlegroups.com> Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2017 11:22:17 -0800 (PST) From: HAncock4 <withheld@invalid.telecom-digest.org> Subject: "Advertising on hold" Many businesses now play ad spiels to callers while they're waiting on HOLD. This is very annoying. It's particularly irritating when calling a medical practice. Usually you're upset enough when you need to call a doctor. But then you hear all of their services - if you weren't a hypochondriac when you first called, you will be at the end of the play. Even dentists and vets do it. Can't they just play music? ***** Moderator's Note ***** When the doctor/nurse/vet finally picks up the phone, be sure to ask him to speak up: tell him you always turn down "Those annoying, bush-league advertisements" while waiting, and that you've forgotten how to turn the volume back up. It's always worked for me! Bill Horne Moderator ------------------------------ Message-ID: <20171108194316.GA17373@telecom.csail.mit.edu> Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2017 14:43:16 -0500 From: Bill Horne <bill@horneQRM.net> Subject: CenturyLink, Level 3 To Partners: We Will Go Head-To-Head With AT&T, Verizon by Gina Narcisi The new CenturyLink wants to build a premier partner program to go along with its renewed focus on serving enterprise customers. CenturyLink on Wednesday closed its $34 billion acquisition of telecom provider Level 3 Communications. The new company is on a mission to level the playing field with industry heavyweights AT&T and Verizon, and expects to generate about 75 percent of its core revenue from business customers with nearly two-thirds of this revenue coming from strategic services. Channel partners, the provider said, will be crucial in helping CenturyLink reach greater heights. http://www.crn.com/news/networking/300095071/centurylink-level-3-to-partners-we-will-go-head-to-head-with-att-verizon.htm -- Bill Horne (Remove QRM from my email address to write to me directly) ***** Moderator's Note ***** And so a company which is under investigation by more than one state is now anxious to brag about how Level 3 will be the corked bat that it uses to gain entry to the major leagues. You heard it here first. Bill Horne Moderator ------------------------------ ********************************************* End of telecom Digest Thu, 09 Nov 2017