I'm not understanding the Time-Warner AT&T merger.

[C Moon]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/23/business/dealbook/att-agrees-to-buy-time-warner-for-more-than-80-billion.html?_r=0

Time-Warner was just bought by Spectrum, weren't they?

I had AT&T 8 years ago for internet, but dropped them after they kept dropping my service, and had HORRID customer service.
I was working from home and the internet died.
I called them, and they transferred me to 5 different people, and I ended up with the first person I started the call with.
I hung up, and signed up with Time-Warner cable internet. Haven't had any complaints.

I've even had AT&T knocking on my door asking me to sign up with their newly installed "faster internet." I told them I dropped them because of their horrid customer service and slow internet with drops.

Now I'm back to AT&T? Good lord!

Will there be any other internet options other than AT&T in So. California?

The U.S. needs to quit allowing the huge mergers. MAN!!! (I wanted to say something else there).

[elleng]

1. You're right, the U.S. does need to quit allowing huge mergers.

This one has not been 'allowed,' but the parties have agreed to it.

Permission of the U.S. has not yet been sought. Lots of steps to come until this is allowed, or disallowed.

[C Moon]

2. Thanks. Good.

I thought we had laws preventing large takeovers, but it seems over the years, the US just lets them happen.
That's the worst thing about the US, in my opinion. Not only do mergers mean less choice for the consumer, and more power to the corporations, but whenever a merger takes place thousands lose their jobs—if not right away, within a year—so the corporations can try to salvage their losses on the money they spent.

It's no wonder were in the mess we're in. Why isn't this kind of thing headline news? It's more important than lame presidential debates.

[elleng]

5. You're right. IMO the anti-trust laws have been less and less 'honored,'

and we're all feeling the ill-effects of this. And it sure is more important than a lot of the stuff that gets attention.

[lapfog_1]

3. This is because of the Comcast NBC Universal

merger...

But that one shouldn't have been allowed either. Content providers should not be owned or own content delivery companies

Sigh

[safeinOhio]

4. Time to bust the trust.

Strange how so many folks will scream bloody murder if they have to pay a dollar more in taxes, but don't give a second thought to the outrageous amounts for gasoline, cable, food, health insurance, drugs and banking, all because of a lack of competition. So, much for that invisible hand.

[Retired George]

6. All Will Be Explained, Citizen 267108643

Just as soon as all media is consolidated into one company that cares about you deeply.

[C Moon]

7. :D

[mockmonkey]

8. Time Warner Cable

is now owned by Charter Communications (Spectrum).

Time Warner Cable was separated from Time Warner in 2009.

Time Warner is something else, consisting of HBO, Turner Broadcasting and Warner Brothers.

I agree that AT&T sucks.

[C Moon]

9. Thanks.