Top 10 Everything 2006

When regulators dismembered Ma Bell in 1984, they didn't predict that its seven pieces would glom back into three by 2006. The March deal that fused AT&T and BellSouth created a new telecom giant that dwarfs its two remaining rivals, Verizon and Qwest. Valued at $89 billion, the biggest deal of 2006 also included Cingular Wireless, the nation's top cell-phone provider, which had been a joint venture between AT&T and BellSouth. AT&T agreed to pay a premium to BellSouth shareholders to become the dominant carrier in 22 states and for anticipated savings of $3 billion a year by 2010. AT&T Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre sealed the top-secret deal with Duane Ackerman, his BellSouth counterpart, while shooting birds in Georgia. The deal is currently awaiting approval by the Federal Communications Commission.