State Regulators Disconnect Ma Bell

[SOURCE: Associated Press 11/19]
On Friday, the California Public Utilities Commission approved the SBC takeover of AT&T and Verizon's purchase of MCI. The PUC extracted concessions similar to those imposed on the companies by the U.S. Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission to make sure the deals don't hurt market competition. The various regulatory agencies have won agreements from SBC and Verizon to stop requiring customers who want high-speed DSL Internet access to buy local phone service as well. Before granting its approval, the FCC required that SBC and Verizon freeze for 30 months the wholesale prices they charge competitors to lease certain high-capacity business lines. The companies also have promised not to hinder Internet access to customers or the free flow of Internet traffic on their networks, a topic that Congress is debating as part of a new bill governing the telecommunications industry.
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-sbc19nov19,1,2279119....
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* SBC closes AT&T acquisition
http://news.com.com/SBC+closes+AT38T+acquisition/2100-1036_3-5961206.htm...