F.C.C. chief says phone deal faces stiff review

Article Abstract:

William E. Kennard, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, questioned MCIWorldCom Inc.'s proposed $115 billion acquisition of Sprint Corp., saying that consumers were benefiting from low long-distance phone charges and Internet access rates because of competition in telecommunications industry. The FCC chairman said that the merger would have to meet strict government standards before he would sign off on the plan. Analysts speculate the FCC or the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division may not approve of the merger because it would reduce the number of U.S. long-distance service providers from three to two. However, if the FCC can get the Baby Bells to agree to open up local telephone markets to MCI and Sprint and permit the Bells to compete in the long-distance market, the planned merger may be given regulatory approval.

United States, Regulation and Administration of Communications, Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities, Telecommunications Regulation, Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors, Antitrust Law, Officials and employees, Telecommunications regulations, United States. Federal Communications Commission, Investigations, Economic policy, Sprint Corp., WCOM, FON, United States. Department of Justice. Antitrust Division, MCI Inc., Kennard, William E.

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2 European giants set to close deal; $95 billion telephone merger could be the biggest ever

Article Abstract:

Telecom Italia and Deutsche Telekom plan to unite to become the world's largest telecommunications company. Barring antimonopoly challenges, the merger of the Italian and German companies should create international shock waves. Smaller telecommunications companies will likely scramble to find partners, while larger companies could reel from the competition. Deutsche Telekom has already hinted toward a takeover of Sprint. The merger of the 2 companies would create a stock market value of about $212 billion. Meanwhile, Olivetti S.p.A. has been attempting a hostile takeover of Telecom Italia. Olivetti, as expected, was critical of the proposed German-Italian alliance. France Telecom was also critical.

Italy, Acquisitions & mergers, Foreign operations, Germany, Telecommunications, Wired Telecommunications Carriers, Telephone Communication, Telephone Communications, Telephone communications, exc. radio, Planning, Company acquisition/merger, Telephone services, Deutsche Telekom AG, Telecom Italia S.p.A., Company business planning

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