Comcast and AT&T called emergency motion trying to stop merger of...
Comcast and AT&T called emergency motion trying to stop merger of Comcast and AT&T Broadband “unfounded and irresponsible” and said it “should be dismissed out of hand.” In FCC filing, Comcast Senior Dir.-Public Policy James Coltharp and AT&T Vp-Federal…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
Govt. Affairs Betsy Brady said Media Access Project and its consumer group clients, in their motion, failed “to articulate any substantive basis to refute careful reasoning” of FCC in its order denying them access to AOL Internet Service provider (ISP) agreement (CD Nov 8 p7). Groups filed emergency petition asking FCC to suspend consideration of merger until U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C., had had chance to consider expedited appeal by MAP and others of Commission’s decision to deny them access to ISP deal. FCC concluded in its denial that deal was immaterial and irrelevant to merger. Commission hasn’t made decision on petition and still was reviewing it, spokeswoman said late Fri. Comcast and AT&T said in their filing that MAP’s “shrill but empty assertions plainly afford no basis for further delaying the merger review process.” They also said that, with preparations for closing of merger far advanced, further delays would cause “serious harm” to customers, lenders, shareholders, and employees. Companies asked FCC to dismiss motion in ordering clause in final order on merger and “otherwise disregard it.” MAP Pres. Andrew Schwartzman said his group planned to file motion for expedition with court Nov. 12.