Tuesday, February 24, 2009

FCC Conditions on Mergers, Enforceable?

This article http://groups.google.com/group/gio-talk/browse_thread/thread/b1195fa18a7feeaa/d06e2237c2c25d10?lnk=raot#d06e2237c2c25d10 from the Media reform Listserv, brings up a number of interesting questions.

First, how is the Rural Broadband money from the Stimulus Bill really going to be doled out? It seems like both Verizon and AT&T have dropped the ball in this area, and should not receive Stimulus money for something that they already promised to do.

Second, when the FCC places conditions on Mergers such as the AT&T BellSouth Merger, how is it possible for them to hold the companies accountable and bring an enforcement action if the conditions are not met? The FCC's authority is to regulate in the "Public Interest," and they have control over the licenses. If this is the case and this article is correct when it says that AT&T made a number of promises for access to low cost DSL for every customer, then why has the FCC not stepped in with any enforcement actions?

I feel like I might do a little more research into this area.

No comments: