The FCC has tallied, at our deadline, nearly 36,000 comments on AT&T’s proposed buy of T-Mobile, mostly short, from hard to verify sources, but overwhelmingly opposed to the deal. But numerous groups and companies also filed, sending a mixed message to the commission, with groups like the Media Access Project and the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council taking opposing views (CD June 1 p1). AT&T said support for the merger is growing.
The FCC’s pending Wireless Competition Report is already being brandished as a weapon by opponents of AT&T’s proposed buy of T-Mobile, even before it’s released by the agency. The report is expected to conclude for the second year that the wireless market has grown more concentrated. Other observers say the report appears likely only to offer the same findings as last year, reaching no conclusions on whether the industry is “effectively competitive,” and thus is not a surprise.
Spectrum fees assessed on government agencies appear to be off the agenda for the current Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee. A report on spectrum fees for government agencies dominated the last two CSMAC meetings last year (CD Dec 14 p2, Nov 9 p1) and was the subject of continuing debate. CSMAC ultimately called for further study of the issue.
For the second month in a row, the FCC won’t take on any high-profile issues at its monthly meeting. The agenda for the June 9 open meeting lists four items, none likely to excite much attention (CD May 23 p6). The May meeting’s agenda was similarly light (CD May 13 p 9).
Meredith Baker said she sat out the past month’s worth of votes as an FCC commissioner, starting around the time she was approached by Comcast about a job. Her written statement Friday was the first time she addressed concerns on conflicts of interest (WID May 13 p8) between regulating Comcast and going to work for the cable operator, whose deal to buy control of NBCUniversal she voted to approve in January. Several opponents of government regulation who supported the Comcast-NBCUniversal deal said in interviews Friday that they saw no problems with Baker’s decision to become NBCUniversal’s top lobbyist. Until mid-April, “not once in my entire tenure” at the FCC “had anyone at Comcast or NBCUniversal approached me about potential employment,” said Baker, who was sworn in July 31, 2009. “When this opportunity became available in mid-April, I made a personal decision that I wanted to give it serious consideration” and “immediately” told FCC General Counsel Austin Schlick, she said. Starting April 18, Baker said she recused herself from all matters involving the two companies. Comcast has said it began speaking with Baker about the job around that date. “I have not only complied with the legal and ethical laws, but I also have gone further,” Baker said. “I have not participated or voted any item, not just those related to Comcast or NBCUniversal,” since she began considering a job there, Baker added. “I plan to depart the Commission as soon as I am able to ensure an orderly wind-down of my office.” Baker didn’t say if she participated in the consideration or discussion of any pending but not circulating items that indirectly affect Comcast or its subsidiaries. Media Access Project’s Andrew Schwartzman isn’t “particularly concerned” that Baker didn’t address her participation in such proceedings, he said. “Nobody is seriously disputing that she has adhered to the statutes and regulations as they exist,” said Schwartzman, senior vice president at the nonprofit that’s often opposed Comcast’s policy positions. “The principal problem here is appearances, and that’s counterbalanced by the fact that people who know her will assume that she has behaved with propriety,” he said. Comcast may not be the only beneficiary of Baker’s stints as a commissioner and at the NTIA, where she was acting administrator, said Associate Director Ryan Radia of the Competitive Enterprise Institute. “To the extent that Comcast lobbies for sound public policies,” having Baker “communicating those policies to the regulators may help benefit consumers,” he said. “The notion that Meredith Attwell Baker is uniquely capable of asserting influence is naive. Every company with a D.C. presence that is subject to a significant degree of government relations has on staff many former government officials,” he noted. “Having influence is the name of the game -- whether it’s a commissioner or a college roommate, companies want to have traction.” The “perspective” Baker has gained from working for the government “will be beneficial” to Comcast, “or any other employer,” said Free State Foundation President Randolph May. “As long as she complies with all of the existing conflict-of-interest rules, which now are quite stringent, I don’t see any problem with her leaving,” he said. Baker’s not saying she recused herself “from her paycheck,” said President Craig Aaron of Free Press, which has sought to reform FCC procedures and often opposed Comcast. “I'm curious what she was getting paid to do during the month-long period between being approached about this job and today,” he added. “The revolving door, and how it prevents real public-interest policy from being made, is the real issue and why so many people are so disturbed by her actions.”
Meredith Baker said she sat out the past month’s worth of votes as an FCC commissioner, starting around the time she was approached by Comcast about a job. Her written statement Friday was the first time she addressed concerns on conflicts of interest (CD May 13 p1) between regulating Comcast and going to work for the cable operator, whose deal to buy control of NBCUniversal she voted to approve in January. Several opponents of government regulation who supported the Comcast-NBCUniversal deal said in interviews Friday that they saw no problems with Baker’s decision to become NBCUniversal’s top lobbyist.
Meredith Baker sat out the last month’s worth of votes as an FCC commissioner, starting around the time she was approached by Comcast about a job, she said in a written statement Friday. It was the first time she addressed concerns on conflicts of interest (CED May 12 p4) between regulating Comcast and going to work for the cable operator, whose deal to buy control of NBCUniversal she voted to approve in January. Several opponents of government regulation who supported the Comcast-NBCUniversal deal said in interviews Friday that they saw no problems with Baker’s decision to become NBCUniversal’s top lobbyist.
Microsoft would be drawn further into the telecom/Internet regulatory world with its $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype, experts said. But they divided over the deal’s potential implications on VoIP treatment going forward. The deal, the largest in Microsoft’s history, is expected to get regulatory approvals. Meanwhile, Media Access Project urged Microsoft to support network neutrality and other open Internet policies.
Microsoft would be drawn further into the telecom/Internet regulatory world with its $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype, experts said. But they divided over the deal’s potential implications on VoIP treatment going forward. The deal, the largest in Microsoft’s history, is expected to get regulatory approvals. Meanwhile, Media Access Project urged Microsoft to support network neutrality and other open Internet policies.
Opposition to AT&T’s buy of T-Mobile is continuing to build and the lines will be seen more clearly Wednesday during a hearing by the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee, merger opponents said Tuesday during a media briefing. With three weeks to go before initial comments are due at the FCC, opponents launched a website, www.mergerthreat.com.