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CWA Urges Prompt Approval of SBC-Ameritech Merger
The Communications Workers of America today called on the Federal Communications Commission to move forward on approval of the proposed merger of SBC Communications Inc. and Ameritech Corp.
Testifying at the FCC's public forum, CWA Secretary-Treasurer Barbara J. Easterling stressed that the merger will "advance and protect affordable, quality telecommunications service for all Americans" and create good, quality jobs for workers throughout the industry. SBC has a proven track record in both these areas, she said, noting that in the two years since the SBC- Pacific Telesis merger, some 4,500 new jobs have been created.
A combined SBC-Ameritech plans to enter 30 new markets and has provided the Commission with the specific details of this investment, including the creation of some 8,000 new jobs, Easterling pointed out. Contrast this with the vague promises the FCC has received in other merger reviews, she added.
This merger also is important because it will enable SBC and Ameritech to compete on a more level playing field with such global carriers as AT&T and MCI-WorldCom and ensure that these companies have the resources to maintain and upgrades services, especially for residential and small business customers, Easterling declared.
"Leading U.S. and foreign telecommunications companies have amassed hundreds of billions of dollars to build new networks and to provide new services to U.S. businesses and consumers. The Commission should approve the SBC-Ameritech merger so that these companies have the scale and scope necessary to compete in the global marketplace," she said.
Regulatory oversight of SBC and Ameritech will continue after merger approval, Easterling noted, along with the requirements of the Telecommunications Act regarding non- discriminatory interconnection policies, long distance market entry requirements and other safeguards.
The SBC-Ameritech merger meets and exceeds the goals of telecommunications reform: the enhancement of competition through network investment in new markets and the creation of good quality jobs throughout the industry, Easterling said, adding: "The Commission should approve the merger expeditiously."
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Testifying at the FCC's public forum, CWA Secretary-Treasurer Barbara J. Easterling stressed that the merger will "advance and protect affordable, quality telecommunications service for all Americans" and create good, quality jobs for workers throughout the industry. SBC has a proven track record in both these areas, she said, noting that in the two years since the SBC- Pacific Telesis merger, some 4,500 new jobs have been created.
A combined SBC-Ameritech plans to enter 30 new markets and has provided the Commission with the specific details of this investment, including the creation of some 8,000 new jobs, Easterling pointed out. Contrast this with the vague promises the FCC has received in other merger reviews, she added.
This merger also is important because it will enable SBC and Ameritech to compete on a more level playing field with such global carriers as AT&T and MCI-WorldCom and ensure that these companies have the resources to maintain and upgrades services, especially for residential and small business customers, Easterling declared.
"Leading U.S. and foreign telecommunications companies have amassed hundreds of billions of dollars to build new networks and to provide new services to U.S. businesses and consumers. The Commission should approve the SBC-Ameritech merger so that these companies have the scale and scope necessary to compete in the global marketplace," she said.
Regulatory oversight of SBC and Ameritech will continue after merger approval, Easterling noted, along with the requirements of the Telecommunications Act regarding non- discriminatory interconnection policies, long distance market entry requirements and other safeguards.
The SBC-Ameritech merger meets and exceeds the goals of telecommunications reform: the enhancement of competition through network investment in new markets and the creation of good quality jobs throughout the industry, Easterling said, adding: "The Commission should approve the merger expeditiously."
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