Teletruth believes there exists an inherent contradiction in representations of the SBC-AT&T and Verizon-MCI mergers in the complaints and consent decrees filed by the DOJ October 27, 2005.
The complaints note broad competition. For example – “SBC and AT&T compete in the sale of wireline telecommunications services to retail and wholesale customers in the United States.” The complaints note particular concern about Local Private Lines. For example – “the proposed merger is likely to substantially reduce competition for Local Private Lines and telecommunications services that rely on Local Private Lines to those buildings.” The DOJ believes the magnitude of these concerns provides sufficient justification to block the mergers. For example – “that Defendants be permanently enjoined and restrained from carrying out the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated January 30, 2005.”