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DOJ Could Nix Comcast-Time Warner Merger
jriding (1076733) writes The Comcast-Time Warner Cable merger has been in the works for so long, it's starting to feel like the impending monopolistic telecom Frankenbaby was inevitable. But the Justice Department may kibosh the deal for violating antitrust laws, according to a report from Bloomberg.
Based on this list, it looks like merger activity between US banks dramatically slowed since Obama took office, after going through the roof during the Bush years.
But don't let the facts get in the way of good ol' right wing populist rhetoric.
Satellite and cellular internet are different products that do NOT compete directly with terrestrial broadband services like Comcast's: Cable is low latency, high bandwidth; Satellite is high latency, high bandwidth; Cellular is low latency, low bandwidth. For applications like streaming audio and video (internet radio, voip, Netflix, etc.), where only bandwidth matters, one could argue there is competition. For applications like online gaming and web browsing, where both latency and bandwidth matter, there is little competition against the likes of Comcast and Time Warner. Do you live anywhere near Google Fiber or FIOS? I sure don't. Further discouraging competiton by allowing two of the biggest players to merge will certainly not benefit consumers. On the other hand, striking down laws that prevent competition, such as by municipalities, would allow for competition even in places where the cable cartel has agreed not to compete. What we need is more choice, not less.