Saying the right things
I'm going to make a prediction: Charter's proposed merger with Time Warner Cable will clear regulatory approval even though the FCC recently squashed Comcast's attempt to do the same. Why? For one, Charter is a smaller company than Comcast, so the same monopolistic concerns don't apply (not to the same extent, anyway). And secondly, Charter has publicly vowed not to implement so-called paid Internet fast lanes, even if the FCC's net neutrality rules end up being overturned in court.
That's a big deal. The FCC has fought with cable companies and telecoms over the issue of net neutrality for some time now, and only recently came out victorious by having broadband Internet reclassified as a utility under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. This gave the FCC the power it needed to implement government regulated net neutrality rules.
Ever since the FCC issued its Open Internet Order, cable companies and telecoms have been fighting back. It's a divided issue, and whether or not you agree with the FCC's strategy isn't the point here. Charter's vow to honor certain stipulations no matter how things turn out, however, is the point.
The Verge reports that Charter boss Tom Rutledge stated during an interview yesterday that his cable company will "not block, throttle, or engage in paid prioritization of Internet traffic" no matter how things shake out. While probably not a legally binding promise, it is something that the FCC could bring up if the Open Internet Order is overturned in court and Comcast proceeds to break its promise.
It's also worth pointing out that Charter doesn't own any TV networks. One of the things that worked against Comcast's proposed merger with TWC was its ownership of NBCUniversal. Had the deal gone through, Comcast would have been in better position to promote its own content over that of rivals, creating an uneven playing field.
Unlikely Supporter
In related news, Comcast chief Brian Roberts is apparently in favor of Comcast's merger with TWC. Rather than play the part of sore loser, Roberts issued a pretty strong statement backing the move.
"This deal makes all the sense in the world," Roberts said, according to Engadget. "I would like to congratulate all the parties."
Whether or not he's being sincere or perhaps has an ulterior motive isn't known, but at least publicly, he harbors no ill-will at Charter for swooping in.
From maximumpc
from http://bit.ly/1SCN5za
