Today, the WSJ reported that Federal Communications Commission staff recommended the agency designate a hearing for Comcast’s proposed merger with Time Warner, signalling that the FCC plans to oppose the deal. The Department of Justice is reportedly also planning to sue to block the merger in federal court.

“Blocking the Comcast-TWC merger won’t actually do anything to increase competition, encourage deployment or promote adoption among the underserved,” said Berin Szoka, President of TechFreedom. “The two companies don’t compete with each other in any broadband market. Making competition easier requires a lot of small reforms, none of which will make headlines, but together, will help telcos compete with cable providers, help new players like Google Fiber enter the market, and make wireless a stronger alternative.”

###

Szoka and Manne are available for comment at media@techfreedom.org.

See our other work on the proposed merger of Comcast and Time Warner and promoting broadband deployment, including:

  • “Next-Gen DSL Shatters ‘Cable Monopoly’ Myth,” a press release from TechFreedom
  • “Comcast / Time Warner Merger Won’t Reduce Competition, Actually Expands Net Neutrality,” a press release from TechFreedom
  • “Misguided Opposition to Comcast-TWC Deal Shouldn’t Affect the Outcome,” Berin Szoka in The Hill
  • “Comcast-TWC Deal Won’t Reduce Competition,” Geoff Manne in The Global Post
  • “Comcast / Time Warner Deal Will Expand Net Neutrality,” Berin Szoka in Mashable
  • “Don’t Blame Big Cable. It’s Local Governments That Choke Broadband Competition,” Berin Szoka and Jon Henke in Wired.com

</>