Several US telecom ask the Federal Communications Commission to block the proposed merger of AT&T and BellSouth

Several US telecom companies including Grande Communications, NuVox Communications, Supra Telecom, Talk America and Xspedius Communications have urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to block the proposed merger of AT&T and BellSouth, citing competition concerns. In case the merger cannot be blocked, the group has requested the FCC to impose conditions to offset the effects of the proposed merger. In March, AT&T agreed to buy the smaller rival BellSouth for about $67 billion in stock.