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New AT&T rising, but unlike Ma Bell of yore
MSNBC ^ | March 6, 2006 | Martin Wolk

Posted on 03/06/2006 1:11:53 AM PST by RWR8189

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To: FreeAtlanta

Breaking up AT&T was a smart move. Corporate monopolies have all the bad features of government-run industry, for the same reasons - no competitive spirit. The only thing they lack is criminalization of their competitors.

Long distance prices didn't start falling until the breakup of At&T.


21 posted on 03/06/2006 5:59:00 AM PST by Toskrin (It didn't seem nostalgic when I was doing it)
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To: Toskrin

I remember when Northwestern Bell could threaten to cut off your service if you bought and installed an extra long curly cord on your kitchen phone. The same mentality still exists at SBC/AT&T, believe me.


22 posted on 03/06/2006 6:21:15 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (BTUs are my Beat.)
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To: sully777

Hmm. My cell phone service with AT&T was great. Changed to Cingular when they made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Even though they're the same company now, they don't use the same network and the reception is poorer with Cingular. Maybe that will change.


23 posted on 03/06/2006 6:23:20 AM PST by GVnana (Former Alias: GVgirl)
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To: RWR8189
Ad for AT&T, as heard in the Dudley Moore movie Crazy People:

"You may think phone service stinks since deregulation, but don't mess with us, because we're all you've got. In fact, if we fold, you'll have no damn phones. AT&T: we're tired of taking your crap"

24 posted on 03/06/2006 7:00:34 AM PST by Alex Murphy (Colossians 4:5)
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To: TXBSAFH

"Have you seeeen the LIGHT?!"


25 posted on 03/06/2006 7:49:53 AM PST by thulldud ("Muslim Community Leaders Warn of Backlash from Tomorrow's Terrorist Attack")
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To: HAL9000

the pile on has begun...go to suncom and many others like it if you think the new att is so bad...you might not be able to call anyone to complain...how about what we have done to the airlines...much like we did to communications...why do americans only want to kill ourselves...it is a big world and the sooner we get with it...the better...cheap cheap ceap gets us in a no win ditch! btw-if you where a stockholder in something instead of just a user...you might get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!


26 posted on 03/06/2006 8:04:23 AM PST by ldish (God save the USA)
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To: ldish
Suncomm is not my incumbent local exchange carrier. AT&T is the local franchise common carrier. A utility has rights and responsibilities, but AT&T has failed to meet their responsiblilities.

Apparently, you're more concerned about Mexico and Africa getting a modern telecommunications infrastructure. I say America First.

27 posted on 03/06/2006 9:59:19 AM PST by HAL9000 (Get a Mac - The Ultimate FReeping Machine)
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To: frankjr
Concerning the franchise laws - with the telcos getting into the cable television business, and the cable companies getting into the telephone business, the rules should be fair to both industries.

SBC's Project Lightspeed will only be deployed in a relatively small area of their geographic territory. It is not an undue burden for SBC to follow the same regulations that the cable companies were required to follow in order to deploy video service.

This is a states rights issue. As long as utilities are using the public right-of-way and running cable through your private property without paying you rent, it is fair to expect the utilities to follow the local regulations for franchise agreements.

28 posted on 03/06/2006 11:35:24 AM PST by HAL9000 (Get a Mac - The Ultimate FReeping Machine)
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To: Toskrin
Long distance prices didn't start falling until the breakup of At&T.

Many people think that the break up did it but that was not the case. It was the development of electronic switching and automated billing that brought the prices down. It just so happened this came at the time of the split in many places.

29 posted on 03/06/2006 11:43:22 AM PST by cva66snipe (If it was wrong for Clinton why do some support it for Bush? Party over nation destroys the nation.)
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To: HAL9000

you are totally missing my point...directed not so much to the new ATT but to many USA companies that need to be large enough to be able to compete internationally...so be it.


30 posted on 03/06/2006 9:50:42 PM PST by ldish (God save the USA)
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To: sully777

As the article stated. AT&T ended last year. This is a new At&T.


31 posted on 03/07/2006 3:16:24 PM PST by Bogey78O (<thinking of new tagline>)
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