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SBC Might Buy AT&T

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the soon-there-will-just-be-one dept.

ChipGuy writes "SBC is in talks to buy AT&T according to Wall Street Journal and New York Times, both reporting price tag to be between $15-and-$16 billion. The news comes close on heels of SBC reported weaker earnings and 7000 job cuts. The New York Times says talks are fluid and sensitive. Wall Street Journal says, "a major acquisition would speak to SBC Chief Executive Edward Whitacre Jr.'s aim of turning the company into a national brand and his desire to do at least one final deal before he retires." Om Malik writes that "buying AT&T will make sense for anyone, and not just SBC. Why? Because AT&T still is the only game in the enterprise markets. MCI is hurting and Sprint clearly wants to focus on wireless. That leaves AT&T in a pretty good shape.""

4 of 204 comments (clear)

  1. Breaking up... by Jace+of+Fuse! · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Let's break up Ma Bell so that some 20 years later they will all merge back together to become an even more powerful and unstoppable force."

    --

    "Everything you know is wrong. (And stupid.)"

    Moderation Totals: Wrong=2, Stupid=3, Total=5.
  2. And... by webword · · Score: 5, Funny

    I might buy AT&T too. I love speculation. Who else might buy AT&T? Are you thinking about it? Raise your hand if you are thinking about anything else.

    --
    How to Download YouTube Videos
  3. So here's how I see it... by hal2814 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Step 1: Reuinite the Bells Step 2: Use uber resources to roll out fiber (which they apparently don't have to share like their copper) Step 3: Regain monopoly

  4. More evidence... by GillBates0 · · Score: 5, Funny
    The SBC homepage carries this string, which could be a hidden clue to the upcoming buyout:

    ALT="To all AT&T customers: we're here to stay" WIDTH="426" HEIGHT="60" BORDER="0" HSPACE="14" VSPACE="6"

    Heck, I might even report this to the Register and get quoted as an "eagle eyed reader" like this guy did.

    --
    An Indian-American Hindu committed to non-violent thought/speech/action alarmed by the global explosion of radical Islam