January 2007

The final terms of the $85 billion AT&T-BellSouth transaction, the largest telecommunications deal in U.S. history, underscored the key role of the FCC. The agency is charged by Congress with looking out for the interests of consumers, FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein noted. He says companies that approach the FCC in the future looking for merger approvals should keep in mind that "our job is to look out for the public interest, not the interests of the companies we oversee."

AT&T-BELLSOUTH DEAL CALLED 'BREAKTHROUGH' FOR CONSUMERS
[SOURCE: USAToday, AUTHOR: Leslie Cauley]

INDUSTRY BRACES FOR NET NEUTRALITY FALLOUT
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Amy Schatz Amy.Schatz@wsj.com]

FRANCHISE REFORM
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Editorial Staff]