It was a great quarter for them. They're doing a very good job of telling their story that even though they're losing access lines, they're gaining customer connections.

234

Strategically it brings a lot of benefits, more from the assets and the enterprise customer base that's important than from the long distance business. Some shareholders would have rather seen a Sprint deal, but this is easier from a regulatory standpoint. There's no wireless component, and the Department of Justice will consider this in parallel with the SBC-AT&T deal.

199

The $54 price objective represents 17 times 2002 estimated revenue. The stock currently trades at 28 times 2001 revenue, implying a multiple contraction.

183

The local business will be spun off to the shareholders so if somebody wanted to buy it it will be straightforward.

161