Shaking the family tree

摘要

Consolidation within the telecom industry has become SOP-standard operating procedure. With rare exception-Bell Atlantic/TCI and Sprint/WorldCom come to mind-announced mergers pass through financial and legal channels relatively unscathed, creating a continually shifting landscape. AT&T's announced acquisition is yet one more step along a predictable path. It was far from a surprise-only the tim- ing raised any eyebrows, coming so quickly on the heels of the SBC Communications/AT&T merger-but its impact will be considerable. Not only does this merger retire the last of the original seven "Baby Bell" brands, it lays to rest the Bell name altogether, with the exception of big Mama. And the deal will have technological, competitive and regulatory implications, both for the new behemoth and the industry around it.