Michigan Memos

It's amazing what you can find in the trash and corporate hallways of Michigan.

Subject: Ameritech Long Distance in Michigan Sent: 5/9/01 3:03 AM Later today, Ameritech Michigan will take the next step in bringing full telecommunications competition to Michigan when it submits a "Notice of Intent to File" to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). This filing marks the "next step" in removing regulatory barriers to consumer choice in local and long-distance telephone service to Michigan. Today's filing will be followed, within several days, by a filing of Ameritech Michigan's conformance with a federal "checklist" that shows the local market is open to competition by demonstrating that Ameritech provides non-discriminatory services and unbundled components of its network to competitors. The MPSC, Ameritech and other telephone companies doing business in Michigan have been working together in "collaborative" sessions for more than a year. We expect the final checklist filing will be made to the MPSC late this year and that Michigan's application for full telephone competition will be before the Federal Communications Commission before Christmas. This is great news for Michigan telephone consumers because Ameritech's entry into long distance will bring substantial benefits to, customers. The strongest and loudest opposition will come not from consumers but directly from the long distance industry and from their front groups, like MiACT or "Voices for Choices." They'll argue that the market in Michigan isn't open to competition. Now you and I both know that simply is not true. More than 200 companies are licensed to offer local service in Michigan. Nearly 1 Million lines are operated by competitors to Ameritech. Competitors have located their equipment in 900 sites in Ameritech Michigan offices and have obtained more than 250,000 trunks connecting them to Ameritech's switching equipment. The market for competition is open. It's time for Michigan consumers to have the same benefits of full competition consumers enjoy in Texas, New York, Oklahoma and Kansas. This is an important step. Michigan is poised to be the first state in the Ameritech region to be approved for full competition. I know you share my excitement. Soon, I am going to ask you to get personally involved in the 271 process. I may ask you to contact your legislator, officials in Lansing or Washington to help us make Ameritech long distance a reality in Michigan. Gail Torreano President, Ameritech Michigan

Above we have an example of how Ameritech plans on getting its way - by having its employees lobby their legislators.  It's amusing to see the hostility towards "Voices for Choices," one of the long distance industry "front groups."  That organization claims on its web page that 'We've moved from seven Baby Bells and GTE to four phone giants who have consistently attempted to block competitors from entering the local markets."  Who is a poor consumer to believe?

Below is an internal Ford advisory issued the day before our caravan to Detroit to defend ourselves against Ford's lawsuit.  They really don't know what to expect from us, do they?

Subject: FW: Security Alert Please forward this to everyone in Discovery today: We have been advised by the Systems Group of a special security alert for tomorrow. Apparently there will be a contingent of computer "hackers" in town tomorrow to protest a lawsuit brought by Ford against a hacker site. Therefore, we need to be particularly vigilant tomorrow regarding visitors to our floors. Do not allow anyone you do not know who does not have a Ford ID to enter our offices. If problems arise, contact me immediately on my office telephone or my cell phone (734-649-XXXX. You may also call Hallwood security at 271-6650. Gary Hayden Counsel - Discovery Group Office of the General Counsel