By Juliana Gruenwald
The bid by Verizon Wireless to buy spectrum and enter into joint marketing agreements with a group of cable firms was bound to spark concern. After all, Verizon is already the nation’s biggest wireless provider. But, so far, critics have yet to reveal a smoking gun that would prompt federal regulators to block the deal outright. As a result, the agreements are likely to get approved, but the government could add conditions aimed at addressing some of the competitive issues.
Can the Verizon/Big Cable monopoly be stopped?
Here’s what we do know: this deal is a death knell for consumer choice and industry competition. By joining together and marketing each others’ services, Verizon Wireless, Comcast, Time Warner, Bright House, and Cox will concentrate their power in the industry, becoming a virtual monopoly.
The deal also includes a joint operating entity to develop exclusive, proprietary technologies the Verizon/Big Cable partners would use to crush competitors.
But even if the companies do provide more information about the deal to the FCC, much of it will be locked behind confidentiality agreements, hidden from the public. The stakes are too high to let this happen.
Will you ask your members of Congress to demand a public hearing on the Verizon/Big Cable monopoly-making deal? Click here to take action.
Elected officials, consumer organizations, civil rights groups, telecom workers and individual consumers are speaking out about the effect this deal will have on pricing, competition and jobs. Representatives Henry Waxman and Anna Eshoo of California have begun the call for hearings.
Join them.
http://action.cwa-union.org/c/1405/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4388