Wireless is too dependent on the external power supply. And since wireless phones are becoming the main phone line for many people, the industry has to make sure that customers have the same kind of reliability as with landlines.

What's radically impressive about Southwestern Bell's offering is that their highest rate is just nine cents, while most others get as high as 20 or 30 cents, ... They didn't have to go that low. They could have put it at 15 to 20 cents.

There's an explosion of wireless services that are available and a screaming need for spectrum. This is going to be a big boost for the industry.

This could be devastating to the users who are about to be turned off, but they should have switched phones and networks by now. It won't be as many as you think. Many will switch in the last few days of the month. I'd say the first week or two of January will be very busy in their stores and the stores of the competitors.

This deal makes sense for Level 3. It helps Level 3 get further into the local competitive market as a competitive local exchange carrier. It is not the first and will not likely be the last deal Level 3 does.

It's the next natural wave of industry consolidation.