Judge plans to review AT&T, Verizon deals

JUDGE PLANS TO REVIEW AT&T, VERIZON DEALS
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Anne Broache and Declan McCullagh]
The Bush administration's approval of the megamergers of AT&T and SBC Communications and of Verizon Communications and MCI was challenged Wednesday by a federal judge. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan said at the start of the hearing that he may not have enough information to permit the mergers to remain intact without major modifications. Judge Sullivan told attorneys for the telecommunications companies and the U.S. Justice Department, which was defending the two deals, that he has "doubts" the mergers would boost competition. "The public indeed has to have some confidence in these proceedings," Judge Sullivan said. He also said he's considering extra steps - -such as requiring the administration to republish the merger agreements in national newspapers or holding another hearing where expert witnesses would describe the mergers' potential impact on competition. It's unlikely that Judge Sullivan would be able to unwind the deals, but he could impose additional conditions or require the companies to spin off some of their business units.
http://news.com.com/Judge+plans+to+review+AT38T%2C+Verizon+deals/2100-10...

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http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-phone13jul13,1,216878...