DOJ submitted an appeal of the AT&T-Time Warner merger approved by Judge Leon of the US District Court for the DC Circuit. The submission asks the appeals court to reverse Judge Leon on the basis that he could not have understood DOJ’s arguments, otherwise he would not have approved the merger. DOJ claims the intellectual high […]
The Tortuous Path to Winning TimeWarner, Sky and Fox
Walt Disney Co., Comcast, and Rupert Murdoch’s Fox organization are vying to gain control of Sky Plc, a high value satellite broadcast and production asset based in Europe. Sky is a leader in pay-TV services in the UK, and regional markets including Germany and Italy. Sky also sells broadband and mobile phone services, and it […]
Forbes: AT&T Merger — Let Consumers Choose
Many observers welcome AT&T’s proposed merger. A few do not, including the Department of Justice (DOJ). This Forbes commentary tells why the DOJ should just let consumers choose among market rivals and content.
ACI in Real Clear Markets: Time Warner Deal is Good for Consumers and Innovation
Mergers often raise antitrust concerns. This is particularly the case when direct competitors combine to form a much larger company – referred to as a horizontal merger. Because these sorts of mergers eliminate competitors and consumer choice, they can lead to a significant increase in market concentration and pose anticompetitive risks. At its core, regulatory […]
Mergers and Consumer Interests
Keeping pace with the onslaught of new technology has always been a battle for old-wave telecom companies. Recently, it seems mergers and acquisitions have been the primary weapon in the fight to stay relevant. That certainly seems to be the case for AT&T, as they took a (proposed) giant leap forward in their offerings on […]
ACI in Real Clear Policy: The Netflix Free Lunch
Last month, Netflix announced an agreement whereby it would pay Comcast to boost Internet speed and reliability for the companies’ joint customers. Soon after, Netflix said it would be entering into similar agreements with other Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This comes after years of struggle between Netflix and other content providers and the ISPs, with […]
Favoring Competitors Only Undermines Competition
Last week, Google announced they would be bringing their high-speed Internet and television service, Google Fiber, to Austin, Texas. This comes on the heels of last year’ announcement that they would do the same in Kansas City, Missouri, making it the first city to get Google’s new fiber service. This new service promises 1 gigabit […]
The Power of Government over Competition
At the Consumer Electronics Show this week, when FCC regulatory chairman Julius Genachowski was asked about the FCC’s opposition to the now nixed AT&T/T-Mobile proposed merger, he replied that this was a “reminder of the benefits and power of competition.” But his explanation of this point suggests that it is government that creates competition, not […]
Eleven AGs Say AT&T/T-Mobil Deal Should Be Approved
Accourding to a Bloomberg story, eleven Attorneys General say that AT&T’s purchase of T-Mobile USA should be accepted by regulators. citing economic benefits and much needed wireless spectrum. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-27/at-t-t-mobile-bid-deserves-approval-state-lawyers-say-correct-.html
Broadcasting and Cable Quotes ACI on T-Mobile Acquistion
John Eggerton’s article in Broadcasting and Cable (“Markey, Conyers Team Up Against AT&T T-Mobile Merger,” may 26, 2011) quotes ACI on the need for a private US company to rescue T-Mobile, rather than waiting for a US bailout. The article states: ACI said a declining T Mobile needs help, from AT&T or someone else. “T-Mobile’s […]
