The sad, sad song of MCI and AT&T

“Woe is me, woe is me,” cried poor old downtrodden AT&T. “I’m losing more money on account of that bad FCC. While I’d planned to compete with both long distance and local voice, Now I’ve no alternative – I’ve no other choice.”

“Woe is me, woe is me,” cried poor old downtrodden AT&T. 

“I’m losing more money on account of that bad FCC. 

While I’d planned to compete with both long-distance and local voice,

Now I’ve no alternative – I’ve no other choice.”

“Woe is me, woe is me,” echoed dear MCI.

“I’ll cut some more staff,” this was its reply.

“I can’t compete without cheaper copper. 

So I too must cut back – another show stopper!”

Together they sang (did MCI, AT&T):

“Oh that darned District Court, oh that darned FCC, 

With their silly, silly ruling on the UNE-P.

All we ever wanted to do was compete,

To give all our customers their choices replete.”

In reply SBC and BellSouth, they were singing,

“Not with our copper will your profits be winging!

Now we know that your cutbacks will not be for long,

And we know (despite whining) you’ve got more than one song.”

“But wait!  There’s another verse,” said AT&T.

“We’ll just go much faster with VoIP!”

“Then we’ll add other features, like voice with e-mail. 

So that vs. our service, your offers will pale.

Then we’ll put it on broadband, we’ll even use cable;

Give better services cheaper – we know that we’re able!”

So perhaps the last verse for Ma Bell and MCI,

Knowing their markets, they’ll give it a try.

And then they can sing even louder (although slow), 

“We’ll still take you on, Baby Bells – now on with the show!”