Excite turmoil derails AT&T broadband sale

Falling over like dominoes...

Fears of the demise of excite@home are having a knock-on effect on AT&T's plans to sell off its broadband division. AT&T has already turned down a $53bn bid from Comcast, and is now considering a demerger of the business - although the company hasn't ruled out a sale to another buyer. But any deal may be scuppered by the upheaval at Excite. Excite owns parts of AT&T's network, and if it is forced to file for bankruptcy protection, as some analysts fear, AT&T will have to take over those assets, or find alternative equipment to ensure users are not cut off, this morning's FT reports.