PowerStroker wrote:

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I respectfully disagree on this Rex.

I'm actually thrilled, that for the first time since Jimmy Carter, aadministrationon is dusting off the Sherman Anti Trust Act. If IIRC, that act came about due to a giant communications monopoly called AT&T which had to be busted up into bite sized pieces. The effort to reassemble the pieces has thankfully been noticed. You don't realize it yet, but the more competition in the industry, the lower the prices are for consumers like us.

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The use of that abbreveation is redundant.

IIRC = If I Recall Correctly

How could anyone take you seriously?

Today's telecommunication industry is not like the days of old where there was just the telephone. Now there is Internet, Cable TV, Cellular Service in addition to traditional telephone service.

Soon the Power companies will be offering Internet, cable TV and also telephone service. They have a HUGE amount of bandwidth in their high power cables. Why haven't they started to offer service? Simple... Unfriendly government regulation.

So AT&T would be #1 in cellular service for awhile? There would still be Sprint PCS and Verison. In no way possible could AT&T be considered a monopoly with two other big players on the field. Much like the old days when there was the big three auto makers "GM", "Ford" and "Chrysler" the same would hold true today with cell phone companies.

No this feels like another sweetheart deal between Obama and his buddy Brian Roberts (ComCast) who now owns MSNBC or "MSDNC". What is the SINGLE area that ComCast has absolutely no market? Cellular service! Makes since that a bundled plan with AT&T to include home phone, internet, Cable TV and then also Cellular service could lower cost for consumers and give AT&T and edge over ComCast.

Maybe AT&T should buy out a media outlet? How would you feel about that?

The REAL anti-trust issue of a content provider (ComCast) now owning a news outlet (MSNBC) could prove to be the biggest Monopoly of all. For example, come election time ComCast could simply choose to drop Fox News or any other network that they felt differed from their agenda. By the time it gets ironed out in court the election is over and the damage done. If Obama were to win because of this censorship and MSNBC and ComCast found guilty he could easily pardon any party involved, thus screwing the American people and basically "Stealing" the election. If you think it cant happen just think back to Dish Network where they lost coverage of certain channels due to rates being jacked up. It could swing both ways and the simple fact that no one seems to take notice of this danger is mind boggling.

Obama choosing to pick the exact same day and time the GOP plans to air it's debate to make his Jobs speech is further proof this President might try it.

That's some bold talk PowerStroker!

You know what happend to Jimmy Hoffa don't ya? Well truth is no one really does, but I would imagine anyone with enough balls to go after all the big boys listed above would meet the same fate.

Being a small business owner I know that what you suggest is just laughable.

The infrastructure alone needed for someone to offer cellular service on a nationwide level is beyond what any small business guy is going to be able to afford. What you suggest sounds like a nightmare when it comes to roaming charges! If a bunch of small timers opened up wireless services that is exactly what you would have.

I would like to compete on a national level with automotive shops like Goodyear, Firestone and even Fords! I compete with them on a local level now, but it goes to show that what you suggest above is more than possible for anyone, providing they have the $$$ backing and the skills. Giving people government money to do what you suggest is not the way, they have to earn it just like everyone else.

 

... According to Fox "news" opinion articles.

Do you really think if TMobil and ATT merged they wouldn't have redundant positions and fire tons of people?

I have T-mobile and I'm happy with them.

I'm not that sophisticated, I just have a Motorola KRZR with more minutes than I ever use, and unlimited texts. Maybe my next phone will be "smart" though.

I know first hand how AT&T operates. They have gone from being SBC and only in Texas and a few other small areas in the US to taking over Ameritech, Nevada Bell, and any thing else that they could get into the package back in 2002. Once this is done they start closing down offices in each state except the ones in capital cities. They hire full time temporary help so they can pay them less and no benefits.. All the time training people in Texas where they are based at a non-union rate. In 2007 they gained control of Bell South and have a monopoly on your phone lines and DSL service. AT&T owns the lines even if they are not your carrier. Your phone company pays them for using them but, if they go down AT&T is the one you will see fixing them..

Once AT&T takes over T Mobile then the rates are going to skyrocket. There will be no competition for them.. They are already making it to where you have to get data service on your phone or not get the phone you would like to have. They are already the largest telecommunications co in the world..

So on that note it may be better to go to one of the prepaid plans out there. But, when the lock in comes the will have you by the short hairs too.

Thank you, and it was my pleasure..  

 

BTW, Is there anymore info on Mustangs or Jag's on here??  I've been searching but, I may be going about it wrong..  That's how I ended up here.. 

jojo dancer wrote:

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I know first hand how AT&T operates. They have gone from being SBC and only in Texas and a few other small areas in the US to taking over Ameritech, Nevada Bell, and any thing else that they could get into the package back in 2002. Once this is done they start closing down offices in each state except the ones in capital cities. They hire full time temporary help so they can pay them less and no benefits.. All the time training people in Texas where they are based at a non-union rate. In 2007 they gained control of Bell South and have a monopoly on your phone lines and DSL service. AT&T owns the lines even if they are not your carrier. Your phone company pays them for using them but, if they go down AT&T is the one you will see fixing them..

I can tell you one thing for sure... The customer service from Sprint and ComCast is WAY worse than AT&T! Yet I didn't see Sprint get any bullshit when they acquired Nextel, and ComCast buying on MSNBC with GE? No problems there, no government intervention. Yet when AT&T tries to acquire T-Mobile (a rinky dink cell provider anyway) it's Anti-Trust this, Anti-Trust that, big fines, heavy oversight and major government intervention. Can you tell me how AT&T would have a monopoly when there would still be Sprint, Verison and Metro PCS? Don't kid yourself JoJo.

Once AT&T takes over T Mobile then the rates are going to skyrocket. There will be no competition for them.. They are already making it to where you have to get data service on your phone or not get the phone you would like to have. They are already the largest telecommunications co in the world..

AT&T is an American company. I am glad they are the largest in the world! Yet if government keeps a strangle hold on AT&T how in the hell can we expect them to remain #1? Just like many other companies that feel held back by government they will move their operations out of the country! Data service has ALWAYS been required with modern smart phones and PDA's. Some of these deals where you commit to a shitty contract for the latest phone at a low cost is to be expected. You need to be smart when it comes to any kind of "service" be it telephone, internet, cell phone, utility, maintenance crew, your auto mechanic right down to grocery shopping. A good deal is out there, sometimes its hard to find.

So on that note it may be better to go to one of the prepaid plans out there. But, when the lock in comes the will have you by the short hairs too.

I agree. Pre-Paid is the way to go. Unlimited plans are less expensive pre-paid anyway. Owning your phone outright also saves money. I don't see a "lock in" coming, at least not from the telephone companies, but from taxes. Ill give you an example.

My landline telephone bill is only $30 per month for the service/plan (unlimited local, long distance, call waiting, caller ID ect). But my bill comes in every month at $47.00 Do you know where the other $17.00 comes in? TAXES, and programs to help pay for other people to have phones.

If you purchase $10 in pre-paid service it's .60 cents in taxes and $1.00 a month charge for a 911 tax. Thats almost $2.00 on $10.00. Rather small compared to the land line above but still significant. Look at your cell phone bills too, look at the special taxes. And Democrats claim to be looking out for the little guy! HA!

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I'm am a former customer service rep with a security clearance for Ameritech-taken over by SBC who took over Circular-at this point SBC changed their name to AT&T-then merged with Bell South and launched U-verse.  AT&T will wait for T-Mobile just like T-Mobile waited for Sun-Com.  That is the MO.  I have lived through the takeovers that are mentioned and decided to go back to school.. Go on AT&T.net and go to jobs. The jobs will all be for bi-lingual full time temporary positions making about 8.50 an hr in Texas. 

I can just about guarantee that in the next 10 yrs there will be no CWA union workers at AT&T.  They may still be an American company but, they have made working for them just a job--just above broke--with no benefits..  Even McDonald's pays better than that and has benefits.

In all seriousness keep an eye on the FCC and AT&T proceedings.  You will be surprised on the things that are stopping the takeover..  If Verizon and Nextel merged today AT&T and T-Mobile would tomorrow.

 

jojo dancer wrote:

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I can just about guarantee that in the next 10 yrs there will be no CWA union workers at AT&T.  They may still be an American company but, they have made working for them just a job--just above broke--with no benefits..  Even McDonald's pays better than that and has benefits. 

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 We are talking about a customer service position here jojo. I mean just how much do you think that position merits? I am sure the good representatives are kept and their salary increased. A business is not going to fire you if you perform. Compensation can be a sticky issue depending on how you hire in. For example someone that hires in as a customer service phone agent would really have to work and apply themselves to move up to an executive position. I am sure AT&T techs and engineers are paid well. I agree $8.00 is a little low for a GOOD representative, but I am willing to bet that's just a hire on rate, and like I said a good employee will never get fired, sure they may get jacked around in pay but that's going to happen in ANY industry, and that's why I stay self employed. Even still I have to be willing to negotiate with customers when it comes to repairs so your feelings about pay are not just exclusive to hourly workers. This I can assure you.

AT&T, T-Mobile Merger: Companies Will Push Ahead Despite Big Concerns

-- Deutsche Telekom and AT&T vowed Thursday to press ahead with the planned sale of the German company's T-Mobile USA unit to the U.S. cell phone operator despite concerns raised by American authorities.

Nevertheless, AT&T said it plans to take a pretax accounting charge of $4 billion in the current quarter to reflect the break-up fees that would be due to Deutsche Telekom if regulators block the deal.

The two companies said they had withdrawn applications to the Federal Communications Commission regarding the merger and intended to seek its approval again "as soon as practical."

They took the step to consider "all options at the FCC and to focus their continuing efforts on obtaining antitrust clearance for the transaction from the Department of Justice," which filed a lawsuit in August to stop the deal, AT&T said in a statement.

"Both companies are continuing to pursue the sale of T-Mobile USA to AT&T," Deutsche Telekom stressed.

Both U.S. agencies worry that the deal would hamper competition and lead to higher prices for consumers.

Deutsche Telekom AG and AT&T Inc. made their move after the chairman of the FCC earlier this week came out against the merger.

Julius Genachowski made his position known in a document he circulated to fellow commissioners Tuesday.

He recommended sending AT&T's proposed $39 billion takeover of T-Mobile to an administrative law judge for review and a hearing. That's what the FCC does when it opposes a merger.




In a research note Thursday, Jefferies International analyst Ulrich Rathe said the withdrawal of the FCC application, as well as the opposition by the Justice Department, indicate that "the companies are already well into working out a new version of the deal."

The analyst, who rates Deutsche Telekom "Buy," said the charge confirms the break-up fee will be difficult for AT&T to avoid if the deal is not completed.

In Frankfurt, Deutsche Telekom shares closed down 0.6 percent Thursday at euro8.69 ($11.67), almost mirroring the 0.5 percent decline in the DAX index of blue-chip stocks.

The proposed deal, announced in March, would vault the combination of America's No. 2 carrier AT&T and No. 4 T-Mobile into the top spot ahead of Verizon.

Dallas-based AT&T has about 101 million wireless subscribers. T-Mobile, the Bellevue, Washington-based subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG of Germany, has 34 million.

Verizon Wireless, a joint venture between Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC, has about 108 million, while Sprint Nextel Corp. has 53 million.


I do believe I said that the merger will happen it's just a matter of when. The same thin happened when the SBC/AT&T merger with Bell South was going on.

jojo dancer wrote:

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I do believe I said that the merger will happen it's just a matter of when. The same thin happened when the SBC/AT&T merger with Bell South was going on.

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 I agree JoJo, but my point was how come MSNBC/COMCAST/GE and SPRINT/NEXTEL did not have to jump thru such hoops? Seems like them mergers (especially MSNBC/COMCAST) got pushed through overnight.

PowerStroker wrote:

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Yet you don't ever mention Exxon Mobil, or Chevron Texaco. I wonder why that is.

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 WTF is wrong with this guy ^^^^^

For gawds sake he makes a living off of fixing automobiles that run on petroleum products! LOL! Talk about cutting ones nose off to spite the face!

PowerStroker wrote:

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I say too big to fail is too big to exist.

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 Does this extend to Government and or ledgislation that is flawed, like maybe the heathcare law?

If Government wasn't backing the companies that got bailed out in the first place then none of the bail outs would have been necessary. Another reason why government needs to stay out of business and focus on governing.

PowerStroker wrote:

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Oh Gerry, and I had such high hopes that you only came back for your Mercedes fetish.

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 Rex hasn't been doing his traditionally good job at keeping your ass in check, so once in a while I have to pull a Stoma & drop in to throw some flames on the fire.

Your tax dollars are being spent on bailing out businesses, but you don't seem to mind, and would rather attack labor unions?

No wonder Republican policies are responsible for the lions share of our national debt.

I didn't say anything about me keeping you in check; that's Rex's job & I have other priorities (and a family to attend to).

All I said is that I need to pull a Stoma and jump in now & again with a bottle of charcoal lighter fluid to get the flames going a little higher.

Actually I started showing up when you acquired your customers truck as payment for trying to fix it. How's that thing running these days anyway????

I'm not paid by anyone to be here, I do this for entertainment.

I take my entertainment seriously

 

Well..Well..Well...

Looks like government regulations have once more caused American companies to lose money. Pretty bad when you can't buy something you want, even though you have the money. Typical.

Now the German company might get $3 billion dollars from AT&T because the government wont let the deal happen. Way to weaken another American business.

Does AT&T deserve it? Maybe, but as an American company it's like we just shot ourselves in the foot.

That depends..

If T-Mobile starts laying people off, or AT&T tries to lay off employees to compensate for the $3 billion lost then it won't be so great for the working class who work for these companies now will it?

Regardless.... It just doesnt sit right with me that a company is being denied the oppertunity to make a purchase. Stinks of Democrat

Have the Republicans ever protected working people from a monopoly?