03-19-02, 03:12 AM
America's 72 million homeowners would be the beneficiaries of a merger between EchoStar and DirecTV since the combination should strengthen competition in a pay-TV industry dominated by cable, the president of the American Homeowners Grassroots Alliance (AHGA) told federal regulators overseeing the merger.
In letters to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell and Attorney General John Ashcroft, AHGA President Beth Hahn wrote that the group has studied the pending $26 billion deal carefully, "and we are convinced that the merger would be in the national interest, and in the interest of homeowners specifically."
The group also is satisfied with pledges they have received from the CEO's of EchoStar and DirecTV ensuring that monthly service fees for rural areas are the same for satellite TV subscribers in urban areas, Hahn said. "This commitment should encourage the federal government to put this in writing as part of the merger approval," she said.
In addition, Hahn said she likes the possibility of improved and affordable broadband services that could be delivered via a merged satellite TV company. "Approval of this merger will make satellite-based Internet access a more competitive alternative in this increasingly important area, and will, as a secondary benefit, increase the productivity and competitive position of millions of homeowners who utilize home-based offices to earn their livings," she said.
From <a href="http://www.skyreport.com" target=none>SkyReport</A> (Used with permission)
In letters to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell and Attorney General John Ashcroft, AHGA President Beth Hahn wrote that the group has studied the pending $26 billion deal carefully, "and we are convinced that the merger would be in the national interest, and in the interest of homeowners specifically."
The group also is satisfied with pledges they have received from the CEO's of EchoStar and DirecTV ensuring that monthly service fees for rural areas are the same for satellite TV subscribers in urban areas, Hahn said. "This commitment should encourage the federal government to put this in writing as part of the merger approval," she said.
In addition, Hahn said she likes the possibility of improved and affordable broadband services that could be delivered via a merged satellite TV company. "Approval of this merger will make satellite-based Internet access a more competitive alternative in this increasingly important area, and will, as a secondary benefit, increase the productivity and competitive position of millions of homeowners who utilize home-based offices to earn their livings," she said.
From <a href="http://www.skyreport.com" target=none>SkyReport</A> (Used with permission)