We're much better than Europe on that score where lack of standards and local squabbling retarded phone use and inflated the price.
Here in Germany the telephone system grew out of the postal service and was until fairly recently state run. I has been privatized and the goverment forces them to allow competition in. It's not as terrible as it was in the 80s. So on one side privatization (righty idea) was the key, but on the other side government intervention (lefty idea to some) forced them to let in compeditors. Both had to happen. Now our service is about the same as the US (except for maybe customer service).
Ok, I don't want to be alarmist here about the whole 1984 deal, but there is something to worry about. Yes I'd like to think competition or good human nature or what ever will make it impossible. It's still something to worry about with things from Clear Channel to Mic$oft's Digital Rights Management.
Back to the topic: Conservative viewpoint
Consolidation of power is bad.
Consolidation of the press is bad.
So that leaves us having to give some limited power to the state to break up power elsewhere.
Yes. AT&T began with a state enforced monopoly, much as local cable companies do. But see what happens? Over time, people find a way around monopolies and a way to force competition. Sattelite TV is eating into cable customer base. That is why I don't particularly fear these consolidations -- because competition will figure it out, come up with something better and poof, no more monopoly.
It's still something to worry about with things from Clear Channel to Mic$oft's Digital Rights Management.
Again, these things won't last. In twenty years, their role in society, if they have one will be completely different. In the meantime, they are providing something people desire at a price they are willing to pay. And that's a good thing.
But private enterprise is not power. It is a mutually agreed to exchange of value. I find nothing frightening about that.
Consolidation of the press is bad.
Consolidation of press is temporary and not even all that important. Our sources of information keep increasing, not decreasing.