Foes, Friends of Telecom Deal Offer last Words

FOES, FRIENDS OF TELECOM DEAL OFFER LAST WORDS
[SOURCE: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, AUTHOR: Scott Leith]
Opponents of the AT&T-BellSouth deal took their last, best shots this week, submitting comments to regulators that at times blistered the huge telecommunications merger. AT&T and BellSouth, meanwhile, cited more reasons the Federal Communications Commission should approve the deal, including support from some Democratic members of Congress and even the Rev. Jesse Jackson. The ongoing debate is part of the give-and-take as the FCC continues to evaluate the AT&T-BellSouth deal. AT&T's purchase of BellSouth can't be closed without FCC approval, and a vote is currently set -- though it could be changed -- for Nov. 3. Already, the FCC has delayed its vote twice and reopened the public comment period. Republican FCC Chairman Kevin Martin probably will need to round up bipartisan support. Though Martin wants to approve the sale without conditions, he faces a 2-2 tie if he can't get at least one Democrat on board. With the issue still up in the air, groups on both sides are lobbying furiously. A look at the latest filings with the FCC, some of which arrived Tuesday night, shows a broad array of worries over the deal, countered by calming words from AT&T.
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2006/10/25/1026bizb...