AT&T-Verizon web portal, email team-up raises antitrust concerns

July 19, 2019, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement blasting reports that AT&T is partnering with Verizon on its web portal and email services:

“The AT&T-Time Warner merger raised significant red flags for many Americans, including Americans for Limited Government, as it signaled a dangerous vertical integration of communications resources within one massive company.

“Incredibly, hot on the heels of this dubious merger, AT&T has announced that they are hiring Verizon, the nation’s second largest telecom company and largest wireless provider, to run both its web portal and email services. Apparently, no matter how large companies get or how much time passes from the break-up of Ma Bell, the AT&T mothership continues to try to reunite with one of its massive baby bells.

“Beyond the obvious fact that AT&T could and should have chosen any one of a number of vendors to provide this service rather than Verizon, which is purported to be its biggest competitor in this space.  This decision to turn over AT&T’s customer data to Verizon to manage raises significant questions about the future independence of the two giants, and AT&T has a responsibility to provide answers before the stench of monopoly and collusion overwhelms these two erstwhile ‘competitors.'”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 1 or at media@limitgov.org

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