Once-mighty interexchange carriers AT&T, MCI and Sprint now must evolve or face extinction.
Once-mighty interexchange carriers AT&T, MCI and Sprint now must evolve or face extinction. Three telecom experts weigh in on the future of the three giants.
Last quarter was not kind to the interexchange carriers.
AT&T announced a loss of $7.1 billion for the third quarter, primarily because the company is writing off more than $11 billion in assets. AT&T also will slash 12,300 jobs this year.
MCI reported a $3.4 billion loss for the third quarter, primarily because of asset impairment charges of $3.5 billion for the same period. The carrier is rumored to be seeking a buyer.
Sprint had a $1.9 billion loss for the third quarter because of previously announced asset impairment charges of $3.5 billion and a $1.2 billion write-down of its Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service spectrum.
All three carriers have watched their long-distance business crumble and are retreating from traditional consumer telephony. The question is, what will it take for the IXCs to survive? Network World asked three telecom experts to share their perspectives on the moves these companies should take.
Allan Tumolillo: Reinvention or extinction?
Shally Bansal Stanley: The future is wireless, VoIP
Thomas Nolle: Consumer VoIP is key for AT&T
