FCC chairman wants big telecom mergers to move ahead without strings attached

Friday, October 7th 2005, 1:00 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The top federal communications regulator wants the mergers of SBC Communications Inc. with AT&T and Verizon Communications Inc. with MCI Inc. to be approved without any conditions requiring the companies to sell off assets.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin planned to send his fellow commissioners plans Friday outlining his reasons for seeking approval, a source close to the matter told The Associated Press.

The source was authorized to speak about the proposals only on the condition of anonymity because it was an internal agency issue.

If Martin gets at least two of the three other commissioners to agree, the mergers could be approved at the commission's monthly meeting Oct. 28. The Justice Department also must approve the deals.

An FCC spokesman declined to comment.

SBC's deal to acquire AT&T is valued at $16 billion while Verizon is offering $8.5 billion for MCI. SBC and Verizon already are the largest regional phone companies. The mergers would enhance their base of business customers and expand their national and international presence.