[March 6, 2005]

"Recent years have not been good to the businesses formerly known as phone companies. They got off to a slower start than cable in rolling out broadband service. And they lost core customers who signed up with Internet telephony services, or opted to go wireless.

But, not to worry, this is an industry with a plan: Bring back Ma Bell—the AT&T monopoly that once ruled the wired world, throttling competition.

While other industries have decided to race forward to keep pace with innovation, this one sees a bright future in turning back the clock. Maybe there is even a black, rotary-dial telephone in our future. "

—Editorial, USA Today