Double Standard in Adelphia Deal?

[Nick]

"...it is hypocritical for Time Warner to complain
of anti-competitive behavior, then urge the
commission to refrain from imposing
conditions on the acquisition."

Is Time Warner Cable presenting a double standard at the
FCC when it comes to its joint acquisition of Adelphia?

Consumer groups continue to hammer away at the
billion-dollar deal, in which Time Warner Cable and
Comcast would take over the bankrupt cable operator. In
a filing sent to the Federal Communications Commission
last week, the Media Access Project took to task some of
Time Warner's past efforts at the agency and its
proposed Adelphia asset acquisition.

At issue is a request made to the FCC by Time Warner
Cable that asked for "a preemption of actions" by the
South Carolina Public Service Commission in which it
was denied interconnection with ILECs (incumbent local
exchange carrier) in certain areas. The lack of
interconnections was thwarting the cable operator's
efforts to provide VoIP services, FCC filings stated.

Time Warner Cable's pleadings make clear that remedies
being demanded by consumer groups "are not only
reasonable but necessary," Media Access Project told the
FCC.

"There is no reason to believe that the applicants (Time
Warner Cable and Comcast), who will increase their
regional market power and national market power as a
consequence of the service, will not behave in the same
anti-competitive way that Time Warner now finds
objectionable," the group said.

"In fact, the parties should be amenable to such
conditions. It is hypocritical for Time Warner Cable to
complain of anti-competitive behavior, but then urge the
commission to refrain from imposing conditions on
Time Warner Cable and Comcast that reflect the same
type of relief Time Warner is seeking."

www.SkyReport.com - used with permission