AT&T forced to offer $10 ADSL but trying to hide

AT&T is doing their best to hide the info on their websites, but in the 22-state AT&T service teritory they offer $10 for 768k/128k ADSL.  AT&T promised the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) that they would do this in order to get its acquisition of BellSouth Corp. approved last December.

According to the consumerist blog AT&T does whatever they can to prevent people from signing up, even hanging up on them.

Check here to qualify: https://swot.sbc.com/swot/promoLanding.do
 http://www.bellsouth.com/consumer/inetsrvcs/inetsrvcs_agreement_plans_pop.html

AT&T Responds to Rescheduled FCC Merger Vote

We ran short of time to gain final approval for the merger today, which is not uncommon in these matters. We look forward to the November 3 FCC meeting, when we expect the FCC to complete its review, approve the merger and allow us to begin delivering the numerous benefits of the merger to consumers.

Time Warner Telecom wants Conditions to AT&T-BellSouth Merger

Time Warner Telecom called on the FCC to rigorously review the proposed AT&T – BellSouth merger and not approve such a merger, absent regulatory conditions that fully address the consequences of the merger for business customers.

AT&T – BellSouth Merger Cleared by Department of Justice

The United States Department of Justice today cleared AT&T’s merger with BellSouth. The following statement should be attributed to AT&T General Counsel James D. Ellis:

“This unequivocal and unconditional approval underscores the competitive nature of our industry and the pro-competitive benefits of this merger. AT&T is focused on bringing more video choices and next-generation broadband services to as many consumers as possible and our merger with BellSouth will help deliver these benefits to more consumers, more quickly”.

Department of Justice statement on ATT Bellsouth merger

Statement by Assistant Attorney General Thomas O. Barnett
Regarding the Closing of the Investigation of AT&T’s Acquisition of Bellsouth
Investigation Concludes That Combination Would Not Reduce Competition
“After thoroughly investigating AT&T’s proposed acquisition of BellSouth, the Antitrust Division determined that the proposed transaction is not likely to reduce competition substantially. The Division investigated all areas in which the two companies currently compete – including residential local and long distance service, telecommunications services provided to business customers, and Internet services – and the merger’s impact on future competition for wireless broadband services.

BellSouth and Protection One Expand Relationship

BellSouth and Protection One, Inc. today announced an agreement to deliver security services to planned residential communities in the BellSouth region.The joint sales and marketing arrangement is an expansion of the existing relationship between BellSouth and Protection One formed in 2001 to market security systems to residents and business owners in the southeastern United States. BellSouth® Security Systems from Protection One® currently provides intrusion, heat, smoke and carbon monoxide detection equipment and related services to customers in 18 cities.

BellSouth Expands VoIP portfolio with Avaya Solutions

BellSouth announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Avaya to resell Avaya IP telephony solutions to businesses. Customers can now work with BellSouth as a single point of contact to address telephony, messaging and contact center requirements using Avaya’s broad portfolio of IP-based solutions.

BellSouth Schedules Q3 2006 Earnings Release

BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS) will report third quarter earnings on Tuesday, October 24, 2006, at 8 a.m. (ET). In addition, BellSouth will host a conference call with the investment community at 10 a.m. (ET). During the call, we may disclose recent material developments, if any, affecting our business and/or financial results.

New relationships help expand DIRECTV across BellSouth service area

BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) today announced that it has entered into non-exclusive agreements with DirecTECH and MasTec, Inc. (NYSE: MTZ), DIRECTV Master System Operators, to jointly market and deploy DIRECTV® services to the residential multi-dwelling unit (MDU) market in BellSouth’s service area.

BellSouth 411 Trial

BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) announced today that it is trialing an enhanced business category search service as part of its Operator Services portfolio. BellSouth® EasyBusinessFinder(SM) service allows landline callers to initiate detailed, keyword searches for local businesses with the convenience of dialing 411.

The trial will run in the Atlanta 678 area code for 90 days and will allow detailed searches similar to the yellow pages via a live operator. For example, a customer who desires to locate a pizza parlor that delivers, a tire dealer that sells a certain brand of tires or a florist that specializes in orchids can now search over the phone using these specific criteria. BellSouth EasyBusinessFinder service will deliver the business phone number to the customer based on his or her request.

TRAC watching AT&T-BellSouth Merger

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Telecommunications Research and Action Center (TRAC), the nation’s leading telecommunications-focused consumer education and advocacy organization, today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Congress to use the coming review of the proposed AT&T-BellSouth merger agreement as an opportunity to reexamine the nation’s telecommunications policy. In light of this development, the FCC and DOJ should develop a clearer understanding of the emerging trends in the telecommunications market. Congress should use the continued consolidation of the telecommunications industry as a basis for its reevaluation of the nation’s telecommunications laws.

BellSouth Prepared for Ernesto

BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) is prepared for the arrival of Ernesto, as either a hurricane or tropical storm, on the Florida coast. Through its work with the Federal Communications Commission and government agencies, BellSouth has addressed issues related to first responder status and access to impacted areas.

BellSouth is maintaining active dialogue with its partners and suppliers to ensure they meet the company’s supply needs before, during and after the storm hits. Through these preparedness efforts, BellSouth will be able to maintain power, provide continuous connectivity and avoid widespread outages.