It doesn't even matter that a company is involved. AT&T could go out of business tomorrow, and the government would lean on someone else to give them what they want.
It's actually the opposite: 1) massive corporate abuse, 2) "Look, over there, the GOVERNMENT!" (which received its direction from behemoth corporations).
AT&T will not go out of business tomorrow. "The government", as you know it, will go. At least it's made of elected officials. Peons don't elect or have any control over large corporations.
1) Massive government abuse
2) "Look, over there, corporations!"
It doesn't even matter that a company is involved. AT&T could go out of business tomorrow, and the government would lean on someone else to give them what they want.