AT&T Thinks Everyone is "Way Off Base"
On Friday, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse gave a speech in San Francisco where he talked about Sprint's commitment to operating the company in the a greener, more sustainable manner. Sprint has made great strides in recent years and people are taking notice. In its most recent rankings of the greenest companies in America, Sprint was ranked number six.
Dan also talked about how the wireless industry can help the rest of the country's businesses operate in a greener manner, too. Want more employees telecommuting and staying off the freeways? Wireless modems mean people can connect anywhere. Want fewer in person meetings? Try video chats via a 4G connection.
Dan pointed out however that the innovation in the wireless industry that makes this greener future possible was in jeopardy if the government allowed AT&T to takeover T-Mobile.
Media picked up on this, not surprisingly, when Dan said that approval of the T-Mobile takeover would, "stifle innovation and put too much power in the hands of just two carriers," meaning AT&T and Verizon.
Well AT&T's top lobbyist, former Bush White House official Jim Cicconi, couldn't let that stand. He immediately penned a blog post saying Dan's remarks and his point of view were, "way off-base."
- In AT&T's world it's "way off base" to point out that T-Mobile is a low price carrier with a good reputation for customer care and AT&T has high prices and the worst reputation for customer service in the industry.
- It's also "way off base" to point out if this takeover of T-Mobile is approved, AT&T and Verizon will control almost 75% of the wireless market and drive up the prices you pay for wireless service. They also will strengthen their control of the special access market, which is a key cost driver in our industry.
- AT&T also thinks every major consumer group in the country is "way off base" including Consumers Union, Free Press, Public Knowledge and National Consumers League who all oppose AT&T. AT&T always thinks any consumer advocate is "way off base." After all, those are the people who point out just how bad AT&T's network is.
- AT&T thinks the Rural Cellular Association and the Rural Telecommunications Group and the hundreds of their member companies are "way off-base". These are the carriers who joined with Sprint to fight for the ability of consumers to use their smart phones to check email, surf the Net and use Net-connected apps anywhere they travel in America. AT&T thinks those consumers who expect that are "way off-base".
In fact, the more I think about it, AT&T thinks EVERYONE who disagrees with its political agenda is "way off-base".
Here's what I think.
Despite the fact that AT&T spent more than $15 million lobbying Congress and the Obama Administration last year, despite the fact that no company in America gave more in campaign cash to Congressional candidates from 1989 to 2010, despite the fact that AT&T is one of most powerful political forces in American politics, AT&T will lose.
AT&T will lose not because Sprint will beat them. We won't beat them. But you will.
You see, this isn't about AT&T vs. Sprint. This is about AT&T vs. everybody. You know, all those people which it calls, "way off base."
We call them consumers. People like you.
If enough people like you contact the FCC and the Justice Department and Congress and the White House, you will stop AT&T.
But you have to act.
The people I work with at Sprint can never match AT&T's lobbying muscle. AT&T is much too big for that. But AT&T can't stop you, if you care enough to stand up for yourselves.
As I told Politico last night, I think lawmakers in Washington, once they learn the facts about how this T-Mobile takeover will hurt their constituents, will stick up for consumers and demand that the Department of Justice and the FCC block this deal.
But you have to demand that from your Members of Congress.
AT&T is hoping that you're not paying attention and that if you are paying attention, you won't make the effort to speak out.
Prove them wrong and point out that you think AT&T is "way off-base."
If you do, AT&T will strike out in its attempt to takeover T-Mobile.
