CWA Urges Prompt FCC Approval of SBC-Ameritech Merger

The Communications Workers of America believes that the conditions outlined by SBC Communications Inc. and Ameritech Corp. as part of their proposed merger fully demonstrate that this arrangement is clearly in the public interest.

This merger will benefit both workers and consumers and is built on a platform of growth and investment that will expand quality telecommunications services to consumers and will create new high-tech, good-paying jobs.

Under the conditions proposed by the companies, SBC-Ameritech will commit network investment to low-income urban and rural residential customers, it will make additional subsidies to low-income consumers and it will improve service quality reporting to the Federal Communications Commission and state groups, among other actions.

Because these conditions more than address the concerns raised by the Commission, CWA calls on the FCC to act expeditiously and approve this merger.

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