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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).
| Report No. CC 98-37 | COMMON CARRIER ACTION | October 23, 1998 |
FCC APPROVES MERGER BETWEEN SBC COMMUNICATIONS, INC., AND SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP.
The Commission has approved the transfer of communications licenses and authorizations from Southern New England Telecommunications Corp. (SNET) to SBC Communications, Inc. (SBC), thereby granting the companies' merger application.
In accordance with the Communications Act, merger applicants must persuade the Commission that their proposed merger will serve the public interest. In this case, the Commission concluded that the merger is unlikely to have any anticompetitive effects or any other adverse effect on the public interest. The Commission further found that the merger is likely to produce some tangible public interest benefits, including possible improvements in wireless competition. Based on these determinations, the Commission concluded that the merger is in the public interest.
SBC, once of the seven original Regional Bell Operating Companies, is the primary incumbent local exchange carrier in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Texas. SNET is the incumbent local exchange carrier for most of Connecticut. As a result of the merger, SNET will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBC.
Action by the Commission, October 23, 1998, by Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 98-276). Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Powell, and Tristani, with Commissioner Furchtgott-Roth concurring and issuing a separate statement.
News media contact: Rosemary Kimball and Maureen Peratino at (202) 418-0500.
Common Carrier Bureau contact: Michael Pryor at (202) 418-1580.