Speaking during a J.P. Morgan investor conference held earlier this morning AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson expressed confidence that the forthcoming changes to Net Neutrality rules and Title II reclassification would be defeated, either by the current litigation underway in court, via congressional action, or change in presidential administration, citing the changes in investment that would occur as a result of the new rules.
“If I believed the rules that were passed by the FCC on Title II were going to be the rules of the land for the next five to 10 years, it would have a dramatic effect on how we thought about investment”
AT&T’s current investment goals for the year are centered around its purchase and integration of previously purchased Mexican carriers Iusacell and Nextel Mexico along with working through the completion of its purchase of DirecTV, which is still facing hurdles from competitors and regulators. The carrier is a part of litigation to stop Title II reclassification for broadband providers and is seeking a stay and even complete elimination of reclassification, as it offers both mobile and fixed-line broadband services under multiple brands.
