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.
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
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!