Merging into one network?

Maybe it's just me, but there seem to be an awful lot of mergers going on. Telecommunications companies like SBC and AT&T, cell phone networks like Sprint and Nextel. Some of them I'm not sure how it's consider legal.

Does anyone get the impression that we are slowly moving towards one network? That cell phone service will eventually be under the telecommunications umbrella and we'll all function on a single network. So our mobile device will be able to connect to the Internet, perform desktop-like functions and so on within on network?

Well I'm all for merging, not as one but at least for the Cingular/AT&T merging.
But merging into one, well that's an interesting thought. Don't know if that would happen though.

I have also seen this but I think even with all of the merging ther are still to many pnone companies so I am not worried about monopolies.

Even with all the mergers going on, I don't think it will ever become a monopoly problem. On the one hand, I doubt the consumers would stand for it. One of the few redeeming virtues of capitalism is that the competition keeps monopolies in check.

But more importantly, you can't build hotels on utilities. And without a hotel, can you really call it a Monopoly?

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there can only be one......................

Not really, there will always be at least 2. General business law....compeition is Gooooooooood it keeps prices down.

This would not happen, at least in my country.

Not so much a monopoly as there are very clearly defined and strict laws against that, but a cartel seems more likely. At some point, it will be more beneficial and make more economical sense for the smaller companies to except buy-outs, or for companies with similar interest, like Cingular/AT&T, to merge.

Capitolism is beautiful.

I have also seen that a bunch of places are joining together and it is getting a bit annoying becasue they keep changing names.

Well, only the strong can survive. Some companies will merge just to stay afloat.

I hear that At&t is buying Cingular for less than what Cingular bought At&t.

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