In 1996 the US greatly relaxed its telecommunications laws, permitting telecoms, broadcasting and TV companies to engage in cross-sector operations. Telecoms, cable TV and telephone companies thus entered into a period of competition and consolidation and it wasn't long before a significant merger occurred when US telecom leader ATTT bought cable TV operator TCI.
1996 年美國電訊法規大幅開放，准許電信與廣播電視業者跨業經營，通訊、有線電視和電話公司從此進入競合狀態，不久就發生美國電信巨擘 ATTT 買下 TCI 有線電視公司的通訊大匯流案例。