American consumers are enjoying the lowest long distance rates in history, and the lowest Internet rates in the world for one reason: competition. This merger appears to be a surrender. How can this be good for consumers? The parties will bear a heavy burden to show how consumers would be better off.

There will be those that will claim this merger brings us closer to a re-emergence of Ma Bell; however, my support is predicated on the applicants' enforceable commitments to open its traditional local markets to competitors, invest in new markets, and accelerate deployment of broadband technologies. The end result should produce more competition, not less.