FCC Lifts AOL IM Limits

TypoNAM writes "'The Federal Communications Commission has agreed to lift restrictions that have barred AOL Time Warner from offering advanced instant messaging services including videoconferencing, according to a source familiar with the decision.'" A couple of years ago, the FCC made a big fuss about how it was watching out for the public interest in approving the AOL/TW merger.

Comments

I dont follow...

[killermal]

Maybe I'm missing the point a little here, but why would advancement in video confrancing technology for customers be against public interest? Surely advancement in technologies is IN the public interest?

What about the advantage MSN Messenger has?

[geekmetal]

In January 2001, the FCC ruled that the combination of AOL and Time Warner could pose problems for competitors trying to develop their own IM products. Regulators and rivals were concerned that combining AOL's leading Internet subscriber base with Time Warner's entertainment content and regional cable monopoly would create an unfair advantage in the market.

Microsoft bundles the MSN messenger with their OS getting an unfair advantage over the other IM providers. Most workplaces don't allow their employees to install any software on them, thus they turn to MSN messenger which is already on their Windows systems. Has the FCC done anything to stop Microsoft from doing that? Anyone know?