Calling on Federal Regulators to Put an Rnd to Comcast-Time Warner Deal

Press Release

Today Congresswoman Chellie Pingree again urged federal regulators to block a proposed merger between Comcast and Time Warner, the two biggest cable and Internet companies in America. Pingree has been a vocal opponent of the proposed merger.

"These companies have spent millions of dollars on lobbyists to try and win approval of this deal but the public knows better. Tens of thousands of Americans have made it clear they don't want the merger, and it's time for regulators to stand up for consumers and put an end to this deal," Pingree said.

Comcast and Time Warner are holding their first official meeting with the Justice Department tomorrow to plead their case, but Pingree said she doesn't think regulators will be fooled.

"We've all had this experience before--you sign up for cable service because the company says it's a good deal. But all the hidden charges and fees start to show up on your bill and suddenly it's not such a good deal after all. But you're stuck because they are the only game in town," Pingree said. "The Department of Justice shouldn't be fooled when Comcast and Time Warner tellthem this will be a good deal."

The merger, first proposed over a year ago, has to be approved by both the FCC and the Department of Justice. If it were to go ahead, the combined company would be the only cable option for 2/3 of all Americans.

"My biggest concern is what a new Comcast would do to stifle access and competition online," Pingree said. "They claim they wouldn't be a gatekeeper about what you can and can't access online, but according to theWall Street Journal, Comcast may walk away from the deal if they have to follow Net Neutrality rules. It sounds like the only deal they want is a deal that allows them to be in control of what you get to do with your Internet connection."

Net Neutrality prohibits Internet service providers from slowing down connections to their competitors' websites. For example, Comcast owns MSNBC and under Net Neutrality rules it would be illegal to slow down access to CNN's website for Comcast customers.

Comcast has spent millions of dollars fighting these Net Neutrality rules.

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