The deal that would allow Verizon Wireless to purchase spectrum from a consortium of cable companies is still being disputed. Last week, the antitrust subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to discuss the deal, but according to Art Brodsky of Public Knowledge, still left many issues unresolved.
Public Knowledge, in addition to several other public interest groups and wireless carriers, opposes the deal and claims that it would be harmful to consumers and competition. As WebProNews previously reported, Verizon is trying to buy spectrum from Comcast, Time Warner, Bright House Communications, and Cox Communications for nearly $4 billion dollars.
The deal would also include a joint-marketing agreement that would allow Verizon Wireless and the cable companies to resell each others’ products, which Brodsky believes could have serious implications on competition.
Since regulators are still investigating the deal, it could be a while before any further action is taken on it. As harmful as he thinks it would be, Brodsky said he’s pessimistic about it getting approved given the antitrust cases in recent years.
Does the Verizon-cable deal concern you? Why or why not?
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