Hold Off On AT&T/BellSouth, Says Dingell

HOLD OFF ON AT&T/BELLSOUTH, SAYS DINGELL
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
At a press conference Wednesday, Rep John Dingell (D-MI) discussed his role as soon-to-be chairman of the House Commerce Committee. He asked that the FCC hold off on making any decisions on the AT&T-BellSouth merger until the new Congress convenes in January and said the Commerce Committee will have to take a hard look at any FCC loosening of media ownership rules. Rep Dingell said that there were questions about whether localism was being served under the current media ownership rules, and that the Commerce Committee would have to make certain the FCC was acting in the public's interest. Under court order, the FCC is taking a second try at revising media ownership rules. There will also be a new attempt to craft telecom reform legislation -- this time with more emphasis on Network Neutrality and freeing spectrum for first responders.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6389432.html

* Dingell: Hold AT&T-BellSouth for New Congress
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6389579.html?display=Breaking+News

* AT&T: It's Time To Approve BellSouth Merger
AT&T's response to Rep Dingell's request for a delay in the merger with BellSouth: "Eighteen state commissions and the U.S. Department of Justice have carefully and fully examined our merger and found that it is the public interest. Additionally, we have put forth a set of unprecedented conditions unrivaled by any other communications provider in a merger proceeding, and they have been fully examined in an open, public debate and have received glowing approval from a broad range of individuals and groups. We look forward to expeditious approval, so we can begin delivering the benefits of our merger to consumers, to the economy and to the public interest.”
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6389656.html?display=Breaking...

See also --
* Dingell Cautions Fellow Democrats Not to Seek Revenge on Republicans
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116304819882018367.html?mod=todays_us_pa...