SBC-ATT, Verizon-MCI Approvals In the Offing: Companies Try To Avoid Conditions

Verizon and SBC, hoping pending mergers with MCI and AT&T respectively gain federal approval this fall, oppose any conditions on the deals but are facing some opposition of their own. From The Deal: Smaller competitors and consumer groups want the FCC to require the merged companies to offer broadband service without forcing DSL subs to get their phone service. That would include VoIP. They also want wholesale rates frozen, divestiture of some special-access lines in markets where a third party can compete.
The FCC vote could come Oct. 12 if FCC Chair Kevin Martin can pull it off but probably no earlier than Oct. 27. The commission is down a member, which means he has to convince a Democrat to go along. That could guarantee the inclusion of some of these conditions.

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