We will see if it works. The old AT&T, before they were bought out by SBC, tried to be an everything media company and went down in flames. The Comcast that exists today really started when Comcast bought out the spun off AT&T Cable about 15 years ago.
I was there when AT&T lost control and ended up dying. I ran the first group that tried to sell consumers cells phones, internet, cable and phone services all at the same time by one person. It was a nearly impossible feat that we somewhat pulled off. But it was too costly to do and AT&T then was too dysfunctional.
They understood wired telephones and really not much else - after the Bell system breakup, they floundered dramatically. You must have really enjoyed THAT ride..!! Not!! SWMBO was SBC for 25 years and STILL getting hosed by that company - as all retirees are - years after being forced into retirement...
Their horrendous lack of management is what sent T down the tubes. And the raping/pillaging on long distance...it's no wonder Verizon came along and grew so fast! I still have a long distance prepaid card I carry just as reminder - there are still about 600 minutes on it...I called about two weeks ago and checked!
After the SBC guy - can't remember his name - started stitching Bell back together, it was SBC that pulled all the Bells along and got it working again. He had already gotten a few of the baby Bells before going after T. I think it was a kind of 'paternal' emotional thing for him more than good business sense - all he had to do was wait and T would have disappeared in a few years anyway and they could have scooped up the remains for nothing. They did get a lot of fiber and long lines, so maybe that was worth $16 billion...or close to it.
Whitacre. Ed Whitacre... funny how little triggers can get you to remember 20+ year old stuff...