Six U.S. senators call for rejection of Comcast-TWC merger

[n2doc]

Six U.S. senators on Tuesday asked the Federal Communications Commission and Justice Department to reject the proposed $45 billion merger of the country's largest cable providers, Comcast Corp and Time Warner Cable Inc .

The call came from Democratic Senators Al Franken, Edward Markey, Ron Wyden, Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal, alongside Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, in letters to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

"Should the transaction survive the FCC's and DOJ's reviews, we believe that Comcast-TWC's unmatched power in the telecommunications industry would lead to higher prices, fewer choices, and poorer quality services for Americans," they wrote in a rare direct call for a rejection by multiple lawmakers.

The company on Tuesday pushed back against the senators' concerns. Spokeswoman Sena Fitzmaurice in a statement said the benefits of the deal were "demonstrated and real," saying they included faster Internet speeds and better video services for more consumers and better connectivity for low-income Americans.

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http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSL1N0XI1FV20150421?irpc=932

[-none]

1. This is a big deal and no comments yet?

Enough with the mergers already. How about putting some effort into service for the customers instead? You know, at least make the appearance of competition?

[Phlem]

2. It's an easy way to boost the bottom line

and make shareholders happy.

Merge, lay off excess, make money.

Things like this used to make headlines and you would hear serious discussions about it 30 + years ago. Now we're supposed to just accept it as the norm.

I don't think so.

[-none]

3. I don't think so either.

First step is to get rid of 'Citizens United'. Corporations are only persons/people here in the United States. Nowhere else.

[2banon]

4. Wow, this escaped my radar! thanks for posting!

Good on Franken and others, but sheesh where's the majority of the Dems on this matter?

Why do we have to fight to protect the commons as individuals? Why aren't our reps in Congress dealing with the OBVIOUS on our behalf? Why do we have to keep watch over every single corrupt negotiation ad nausea?

This really bugs the bejebus out of me!