100 years as the most successful telephone provider overshadows the next 100 years of Internet and Mobile Service.
Pros
Internet Provider, Cell Phone Provider and it is not going away. (i.e. Job Security) New Growth is occurring - VoIP, Television, ETrade, B2B.
Cons
A Giant Company, a service company with old company culture in a new business model ,i.e. POTS vs. the internet. It has all the drawbacks of being MA Bell and cannot get good reputation since the "internet should be Free". It tries being more careful not to offend than it does trying to accomplish something new. Balancing the fading legacy of land lines (POTS) and the government sanction (regulated) communication revenue stream against the needed growth of the internet DSL creates too many mixed messages. The customer is always right... but the fall out from Billing systems, etc. is just minimized to "good enough" never taken to zero! The employees have a tough time navigating the systems. the customers are even more in a tough spot. The legacy of lifetime employment, Union Labor and the "perks" given (e.g. Health care, etc.) in conjunction with a fading revenue stream (POTS), leads to a very "documented" and pre-defined work experience. It is very hard for management to reward performers when a) Seniority is institutionalized...even within Upper management. b) under performers are perceived get the essentially the same performance reward.
