So much for competition, right?

Well, dont give up quite yet. There is some good news. Despite carnage, there has been a survivor or two. Companies that refused to be stonewalled and have remained true to their vision.

One in particular that stands out is a CLEC called Z-Tel Communications (Nasdaq: ZTEL). For past few years, Z-Tel has valiantly battled huge Bell monopolies to try and gain entry into local telephone markets. And believe it or not, theyre succeeding... having quietly acquired over 350,000 paying customers in 47 states.

Even more impressive has been Z-Tels commitment to innovation and value. They recently introduced Z-LineHOME Unlimited™, a bundled package ($49.99 in most states) of unlimited local calling, unlimited nationwide long distance and popular calling features like Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting, 3-Way Calling, Find Me and Notify Me.

In addition, Z-Tel is poised to roll out their exclusive Personal Voice Assistant (PVA). The Personal Voice Assistant is a revolutionary step forward in voice activated communications... and will soon be included in Z-LineHOME Unlimited feature set at no extra charge.

Gregg Smith, president and chief executive officer for Z-Tel, in recent meetings with FCC and Congressional leaders, stated:

"Due in large part to UNE-P, competition is generating improved services for consumers every day. For example, Z-Tel is actively investing in and developing next-generation dial tone services that we believe will change way people communicate, like voice recognition technology and personalized online directories. Soon, instead of looking up phone numbers, our subscribers will be able to simply say, call Aunt Tracy on her cell phone and be connected.

And today, for a flat monthly fee, Z-Tel subscribers can call anywhere in U.S., talk as long as they want and take advantage of advanced services that make their communications more powerful.

These are exactly kinds of services that 1996 Act sought to deliver."

Yes they certainly are. What do you know... maybe telecom deregulation is finally working after all.

Can you hear me now?

"Social skills needed to gain admittance into Greek system are same aptitudes that can later give them a leg-up in corporate climbing," says Forbes magazine.

2. Only about 8.5% of full-time university undergraduates are members of either a fraternity or sorority.

3. Fraternities have produced 48% of all US presidents.

4. Fraternities have produced 42% of US senators.

5. Fraternities have produced 30% of US Congressmen.

6. Fraternities have produced 40% of Supreme Court justices.

7. Among fraternity members who are Forbes 500s CEOs, 11 are Beta Theta Pi members.

8. 9 are Sigma Alpha Epsilon members and 9 are Sigma Chi members.

9. 8 are Lambda Chi Alpha members.

10. And 7 are Alpha Tau Omega members.

For full article, go here: http://www.forbes.com/work/careers/2003/01/31/cx_dd_0131frat.html