Public Knowledge Pleased With FCC Actions On Verizon/Cable Deal
Public Knowledge Pleased With FCC Actions On Verizon/Cable Deal
Public Knowledge Pleased With FCC Actions On Verizon/Cable Deal

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    The Federal Communications Commission today
    asked Verizon and its cable industry partners for detailed information
    surrounding the $3.9 billion sale of spectrum held by the cable companies to
    Verizon and about joint marketing agreements between Verizon and the cable
    partners.

    The following statement is attributed to
    Gigi B. Sohn, president and CEO of Public Knowledge:

    “We are very pleased that
    the Commission is following an aggressive course in asking for more information
    for a deal that could create a new communications cartel in this country. 

    “Verizon should be
    required to show whether it is going to have spectrum shortages.  Comcast should be required to provide
    plans to prove it actually considered entering the wireless business.  All of the companies should provide
    full documents to show the extent of the joint marketing arrangements.

    “We remain concerned,
    however, that much of the information will be submitted under a protective
    order and not available for public inspection.  The Commission should make certain that a transaction like
    this, which could reshape the national broadband market, receives the closest
    scrutiny possible from the public.”

    Note: the orders seeking
    information have a March 8 deate, listed under the headings “Requests for
    Information” and “Letter Seeking Revised Submission of
    Documents” on this page:

    http://transition.fcc.gov/transaction/verizonwireless-spectrumcocox.html#orders