merger

Skype firing execs before Microsoft merger?

Skype, the Internet phone giant recently purchased by Microsoft, is firing senior executives ahead of the deal's closure, a move that reduces their payout, Bloomberg reports.

Four vice presidents, the company's chief marketing officer and human resources chief were among those dismissed from the Luxembourg-based company, according to the report, which cited sources who requested anonymity because the departures weren't made public. The report also named two other executives from a recent acquisition who were let go.

"As part of a recent internal shift, Skype has made some management changes," Skype spokesman Brian O'Shaughnessy … Read more

On Call: Civil rights groups line up behind AT&T-T-Mobile merger

On Call runs every two weeks, alternating between answering reader questions and discussing hot topics in the cell phone world.

Immediately after AT&T announced its intention to acquire T-Mobile last March, opponents and supporters began to weigh in. And now, three months later, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone in the wireless industry who doesn't have an opinion on the $39 billion transaction.

Choosing teams For the most part, the two camps are lining up about how you'd expect. Consumer watchdog organizations are against the deal, while pro-business groups and rural broadband proponents are … Read more

Google finalizes deal to acquire Admeld

Late last week, there were conflicting reports as to how close Google was to finalizing a deal to buy Admeld. Now, it's official. Google confirmed the acquisition on its official blog, noting that it will give the Goog a bigger boost in developing interactive display ads:

By combining Admeld's services, expertise and technology with Google's offerings, we're investing in what we hope will be an improved era of flexible ad management tools for major publishers. Together with Admeld, we hope to make display advertising simpler, more efficient and more valuable, provide improved support and services, and … Read more

AT&T: Support growing for T-Mobile merger

AT&T is receiving some much-needed support from major organizations in its bid to acquire T-Mobile USA.

In March, AT&T announced its plans to acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom for $39 billion. The deal, if approved by both the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice, would see AT&T become the top U.S. wireless carrier with approximately 130 million subscribers.

According to AT&T, several organizations, including the AFL-CIO, Communications Workers of America, NAACP, and LULAC (the League of United Latin American Citizens), this week "urged" the … Read more

Sprint asks FCC to block AT&T, T-Mobile merger

Sprint today formally asked the Federal Communications Commission to block AT&T's $39 billion bid to acquire T-Mobile USA on the grounds that it has "no public interest." The "Petition to Deny" request was filed in Washington D.C. on behalf of Vonya B. McCann, Sprint's senior vice president for government affairs, and other carrier execs.

In the 377-page petition (PDF), Sprint argues that the proposed merger would harm competition and consumers by leading to higher prices and poorer service in the wireless industry, impact America's economic growth, and stifle innovation by … Read more

For AT&T merger, Sprint dusts off its Christmas list

It's called "regulation by merger condition." And at the Federal Communications Commission, it's a problem that has become epidemic. As part of a drawn-out process the agency follows for approving proposed mergers in the communications industry (where it shares review authority with the Department of Justice), companies are persuaded to volunteer or are sometimes simply forced into accepting pages and pages of conditions that limit the merged entities' operating flexibility for years to come.

In part, the voluntary conditions are offered just to get the process moving. Though the FCC is required to complete its review … Read more

The 404 824: Where we're spinning our way to the top (podcast)

Where would you go if all your neighbors turned into New Balance-wearing, speed-walking zombies? The CDC (unaffiliated with apocalyptic preacher Harold Camping) has some tips on how to survive the zombie apocalypse in a manual released on its Web site yesterday that uses the undead as a metaphor for disaster preparation. On today's show, we're also getting shallow and pedantic about Meredith Baker's newly appointed position as the senior vice president of governmental affairs for Comcast-NBC Universal, a merger that she oversaw as an FCC commissioner, and we're also chatting about a woman who was reportedly kicked off Amtrak for talking on the phone for 16 hours!

The 404 Digest for Episode 824

CDC advises on disaster prep the only way Americans understand: with zombies! FCC commissioner leaves for Comcast-NBC Universal Woman kicked off Amtrak for talking on the phone for 16 hours!

Episode 824 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

FCC commissioner leaves for Comcast

One of the FCC commissioners who approved the Comcast/NBC Universal deal is leaving the commission to work for Comcast.

Meredith Attwell Baker, one of two Republican commissioners on the Federal Communications Commission, announced today that she is leaving her government post when her term expires in June. Baker was appointed to the FCC by President Obama in July 2009.

Baker's new title at Comcast will be senior vice president of government affairs.

Baker was one of four members of the FCC, who approved the Comcast's deal to acquire ownership of NBC Universal in January. The vote at … Read more

AT&T defends T-Mobile deal to U.S. Senate

AT&T defended its proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA before a U.S. Senate committee this morning, saying the combined company will deliver high-speed wireless services to 97 percent of Americans and provide consumer benefits such as fewer dropped calls.

"The combination of AT&T and T-Mobile could not possibly derail the powerful forces of competition in one of the nation's most competitive industries," AT&T chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson said. It will result in additional network capacity beyond what the two companies had separately, he said, because of more efficient use of … Read more

Wireless CEOs go to Washington, D.C.

Next week, CEOs from some of the nation's largest wireless companies will be testifying on Capitol Hill for and against the proposed $39 billion megamerger between AT&T and T-Mobile USA.

On Wednesday, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson and T-Mobile USA CEO Philipp Humm will argue in favor of the merger in front of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing titled "The AT&T/T-Mobile Merger: Is Humpty Dumpty Being Put Back Together Again?"

Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse and regional carrier Cellular South CEO Hu Mena will be there to testify against the merger. … Read more