New AT&T rising, but unlike Ma Bell of yore

MSNBC ^ | March 6, 2006 | Martin Wolk

[RWR8189]

AT&T is on the rise again.

A 20th century industrial icon, the company once known as American Telephone & Telegraph was chopped into pieces in the 1980s and then withered into a bite-size company that was easily swallowed up by one of its offspring last year.

A proposed $67 billion deal to acquire BellSouth Corp., perhaps the biggest merger ever in the telecommunications industry, will restore some of AT&T’s lost heft, making it the local phone service provider in 22 states and giving it a workforce of more than 300,000 people.

But for all its size the new AT&T is very different company competing in a very different world than the communications monoculture dominated by the old AT&T until it was forcibly broken up apart because of antitrust concerns in 1984.

The new AT&T is based not in New York City but in San Antonio, Texas, where it has its roots as the regional Bell operating company Southwestern Bell, later known as SBC. Last year SBC completed the $16 billion acquisition of the old AT&T, a huge deal that nonetheless was just the opening act for Sunday’s blockbuster.

[Kozak]

We can do anything we want, we're the phone company, SNORT.

[sully777]

I used AT&T as my digital phone provider. Worst service on planet earth. Worst customer service on planet earth.

I switched to Cingular and was happy. It wasn't perfect but customer service righted wrongs.

Now, I come to find out AT&T merged with Cingular and will take on the new name of AT&T. God help us all.

[ldish]

there are many other problems bigger with other so called telecom companies with other companies in all lines of business...perfect service is long gone in the USA and else where in the world because the world wants CHEAP...in the USA we need to stop breaking up companies and let them be strong enough to at least begin compete again internationally with other country subsidized giants...this will just a start....so don't let the piling on begin again with this companies attempt to be competitive again

[HAL9000]

In the USA we need to stop breaking up companies and let them be strong enough to at least begin compete again internationally with other country subsidized giants...

While SBC's US networks were disintegrating into obsolete 100-year old junk, they used the revenues they received from US ratepayers to build telephone systems in Mexico, Africa and the Middle East. Is that what you mean by competing internationally? I would rather have seen them investing in their homeland, meeting their responsibilities to build America's infrastructure, not some foreign country's.

[Cowboy Bob]

I'm so glad we're seeing the last of the name "Cingular." Next should be Q-West! :0)

[Caipirabob]

AT&T can't even perform a simple residential billing without screwing up something. I won't do business with them again. However, I thought that they had withdrawn from the residential business aspect of the service? They are scorned in the industry as well, but on too many occassions, marketing wins out over common sense.

[FreeAtlanta]

Did Carter bust up the first ma Bell? I always thought it was a mistake to break them up. Their labs were producing the greatest innovations in the world. So, if it were Carter, it would make sense that he wanted to kill a productive USA company. Like Clinton's and the Democrats attempt at taking down Microsoft.

[TXBSAFH]

"We're putting the band back together."

[cva66snipe]

Did Carter bust up the first ma Bell? I always thought it was a mistake to break them up. Their labs were producing the greatest innovations in the world. So, if it were Carter, it would make sense that he wanted to kill a productive USA company. Like Clinton's and the Democrats attempt at taking down Microsoft.

Nah Peanut didn't do this one. It was Judge Green who did the deed.

[frankjr]

While SBC's US networks were disintegrating into obsolete 100-year old junk...

Comcast disagrees...

"Cable industry files lawsuit to stop SBC-backed legislation

Senate Bill 5 allows new telecom competitors entering the video market to obtain a state-issued, statewide cable and video franchise -- instead of requiring them to obtain franchises from individual municipalities.

SBC Texas President Jan Newton lauded Perry's signing of the bill. SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE: SBC) in San Antonio lobbied for the legislation.

SBC is in the midst of investing $4 billion to develop a fiber-optic network in its 13-state territory. By 2007, the company will have the ability to reach 18 million households. "

http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2005/09/05/daily21.html

"SBC switches on Microsoft in major IPTV deal SBC signs $400 million licensing deal to use Microsoft's new Internet-based TV platform "

http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/11/17/HNiptvdeal_1.html?DIGITAL%20RIGHTS%20MANAGEMENT

[LibLieSlayer]

I have never quit using AT&T (for long-distance service). I have never had a major problem, and when I have had problems, they were solved in a quick and timely manner. Bell South is my local provider since the breakup, and their service has been positive also.

LLS

[wolfcreek]

Good, maybe now they'll come cut the trees away from my phonelines.

[freeangel]

Save for later

[secret garden]

A timely ping.

[Fred Hayek]

I quit using AT&T in 2003 after they had committed what I consider to be the unforgivable sin in business. Depositing the check and claiming that I never paid my bill. At that point I dropped AT&T on both long distance and internet. AT&T has been a company with misplaced priorities, squandering resources on pandering to internal pressure groups via a large diversity directorate. The office politics within AT&T were getting to resemble Atlas Shrugged.

[LibLieSlayer]

My wife was in NY and was charged over $500.00 in bogus network connect charges by her hotel (and their fly-by-night telcom company). This was because she mistakenly used her Bell South calling card rather than her AT&T card. AT&T forced the company to drop ALL charges, gave us long distance service for .05 cents a minute, and issued an additional $200.00 credit to our account.

I guess the old YMMV applies here.

LLS

[Sloth]

I haven't really dealt with AT&T, but BellSouth gave me crappy customer service. I scheduled them to hook up local service for me on a particular day -- I had to be there to let them in, so I spent all day waiting at home. No show. I call them up that evening -- they apologize and assure me that they can *guarantee* that the guy will show up the next day. I mentioned how I had to stay home all day, and they said "Oh, the technician can call your cell phone and let you know when you need to be there." OK. Next day, no call received. Found a note on the door that said the tech had showed up while I wasn't home, and he wouldn't call my cell because it was a long distance number.

I cancelled my order.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

SBC has reduced the number of line crews twice in the past decade in Missouri (stats from a local SBC lineman) and they refuse to upgrade many of their primitive exchanges that cannot support DSL or even Call Notes.
Before allowing this merger, Justice Department should ask how they're doing with what they've got.

[DH]

"Senate Bill 5 allows new telecom competitors entering the video market to obtain a state-issued, statewide cable and video franchise -- instead of requiring them to obtain franchises from individual municipalities."

Read my tagline.