News Release: PRESS STATEMENT OF COMMISIONER MICHAEL K. POWELL REGARDING PROPOSED SBC-AMERITECH MERGER

[ Text Version | Word97 Version ]

fcclogo NEWS

Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554 News media information 202 / 418-0500
Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 202/418-2555

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

June 30, 1999

PRESS STATEMENT OF COMMISIONER MICHAEL K. POWELL REGARDING PROPOSED SBC-AMERITECH MERGER

In response to numerous press inquiries, I would like to state unequivocally that I have not reached a decision regarding the proposed merger of SBC and Ameritech. The proposed merger involves highly complex factual, economic and legal questions. It is my practice to remain neutral with respect to proposed mergers until I have had the opportunity to evaluate the staff's final written recommendation fully and carefully. I have not yet received that recommendation. Thus, I have formed no opinion as to whether the transaction satisfies the public interest. Similarly, I also am unprepared to say whether, in the event the proposed transaction fails to pass muster, there are conditions that I believe would remedy any shortcomings.
It has been several months since the parties applied for authority to transfer the authorizations associated with this proposed merger, and I am sympathetic to their desire to close the deal. But I am duty-bound to reserve judgment until I have had an adequate opportunity to evaluate thoroughly the staff's analysis and its relationship to the underlying record. I eagerly await that opportunity.

	NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 202/418-2555
	This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
	June 30, 1999
	PRESS STATEMENT OF COMMISIONER MICHAEL K. POWELL REGARDING PROPOSED SBC-AMERITECH MERGER
	In response to numerous press inquiries, I would like to state unequivocally that I have not reached a decision regarding the proposed merger of SBC and Ameritech. The proposed merger involves highly complex factual, economic and legal questions. It is my practice to remain neutral with respect to proposed mergers until I have had the opportunity to evaluate the staff's final written recommendation fully and carefully. I have not yet received that recommendation. Thus, I have formed no opinion as to whether the transaction satisfies the public interest. Similarly, I also am unprepared to say whether, in the event the proposed transaction fails to pass muster, there are conditions that I believe would remedy any shortcomings. It has been several months since the parties applied for authority to transfer the authorizations associated with this proposed merger, and I am sympathetic to their desire to close the deal. But I am duty-bound to reserve judgment until I have had an adequate opportunity to evaluate thoroughly the staff's analysis and its relationship to the underlying record. I eagerly await that opportunity.