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To: Ian@SI who wrote (8903)	1/8/1999 12:43:00 AM
From: pat mudge	Respond to of 18016

Ian -- I'll check out the WSJ for the full article. I know they're in the process of spinning off units and basically cleaning house. Since they're not traded on the NYSE, they're at a disadvantage when it comes to using a pooling of interest. If they want to buy a company here, they have to use cash. Thanks for posting. Later -- Pat

To: Ian@SI who wrote (8903)	1/8/1999 2:34:00 AM
From: pat mudge	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 18016

FRIDAY JANUARY 8 1999 Telecoms FCC nearing decision on mergers By Mark Suzman The head of the Federal Communications Commission, the chief US telecommunications regulator, yesterday said the agency was planning to rule within six months on three big pending mergers. Outlining his agenda for 1999, William Kennard added the agency would soon announce new rules designed to speed up internet access for residential users. "Americans want the internet to go faster," he said. Mr Kennard said he expected the FCC to make in the first half of this year a final decision on AT&T's proposed $32bn (£19bn) takeover of TCI, as well as the $56bn planned merger between SBC Communications and Ameritech and the $52bn purchase of GTE by Bell Atlantic. The FCC is required to assess whether all telecommunications mergers are in the "public interest". Mr Kennard hinted the FCC was looking favourably on the proposed AT&T/TCI deal, which has already been approved by the Justice Department, as the company was proposing to upgrade its network to provide faster internet access and other services. "It has the prospect of being a very exciting transaction because it is just what Congress anticipated in the 1996 Telecommunications Act [designed to deregulate the domestic US telecommunications market]," he said. However, the FCC chairman was more cautious about the other two proposed mergers, which are opposed by consumer groups and long-distance companies. The FCC has been involved in a long-running battle with the so-called Baby Bells - regional phone monopolies including SBC, Ameritech and Bell Atlantic - over whether they have allowed sufficient competition in their local market to be permitted to offer long-distance services. Although he declined to release details, Mr Kennard also said the FCC would this month issue rules to create incentives for companies to invest in high-speed internet access for consumers. Many companies have been delaying making the necessary upgrades to systems because of unresolved disputes over whether and how competing internet service providers might be granted access to their networks.