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Verizon, Cable Deal Approval Nears
Deal Coverage Area, Time Will Be Limited

Previous leaks had suggested that while the FCC was happily ready to approve Verizon's massive co-marketing deal with the cable industry, the DOJ was more concerned about the competitive impacts of the deal. As such the DOJ was preparing several significant conditions, including restrictions on where and for how long cable operators and Verizon can cross promote their products. According to the Wall Street Journal the deal is weeks away, and the two sides have agreed to not promote bundled services in markets they compete head to head while limiting the length of the deal:

quote:
The Justice Department is also preparing to drop its objections to the deal after the companies agreed in principle to limit the duration of the joint ventures to five years or less, after which they will have to reapply for antitrust clearance for a new tie-up, people familiar with the discussions said.

Verizon and Comcast have also agreed not to implement the joint marketing agreement in areas where the two companies currently compete for Internet, TV and phone service. That means that Verizon Wireless stores won't be able to sell Comcast's Xfinity service in regions where its parent company, Verizon already offers its FiOS service.


Agreeing to limit the marketing footprint appears to have gone a long way to ease worries that the two sides would be even less inclined to compete than they currently are (which isn't very much). Still, with Verizon eagerly dumping their DSL customers by the hundreds-of-thousands, that still leaves the two sides with plenty of regions to work with. That's still not very good news for the many smaller companies who'll now be facing the combined brunt market power of both Verizon and Comcast or Time Warner Cable.

As it stands, the deal currently just involves bundled service and prepaid gift card promotions, but the two sides had promised that they'd dramatically increase the scope of their cooperation, including video services that worked over both fixed line and wireless broadband.
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BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Wakefield, MA

BosstonesOwn

Member

What !

Really ? How are those concessions ? What are these people smoking, why not just let them merge and form one national infrastructure so that the government only has one providers traffic to snoop.

This is utterly ridiculous, what a wonderful market we have. Free market my a$$.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: What !

So you rather cable sit on this spectrum and not use it?
BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Wakefield, MA

BosstonesOwn

Member

Re: What !

I rather they lose it and be wacked for haven driven up the cost of an asset on speculation, with no solid plan on use it was speculation.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: What !

said by BosstonesOwn:

I rather they lose it and be wacked for haven driven up the cost of an asset on speculation, with no solid plan on use it was speculation.

But they aren't going to lose it and that's the point.

Robrat
@rr.com

Robrat to BosstonesOwn

Anon

to BosstonesOwn
Then u end up eventually with one huge company like petroleum industry who tells congress preemtively what they are going to do, instead of putting forth plans. The FTC is a non entity, basically. They let big companies do what they want, already. They couldn't go up against a hugh conglomerate that does everything.
25139889 (banned)
join:2011-10-25
Toledo, OH

25139889 (banned)

Member

Re: What !

Last time I checked BP, Shell, and Exon-Mobile were NOT all the same company.

And your comment about the FTC doing nothing, what's the FCC doing?
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

talk is cheap

What happens if Verizon or Comcast break the deal? Nothing was done to AT&T for reneging on merger conditions with Bell South..
An overt lack of enforcement of the merger conditions for over 5 years allowed AT&T to think they can try to grab Tmobile. Both telcos are likley to kill off their union labor in 5 years as well.

Basically this deal is an alternative to a cable MVNO partnership.. all the while encroaching on AT&T's wireless turf. Somehow that's supposed to make the public feel good about a hail-mary attempt at resurrecting competition between AT&T and Verizon (wireless). Left twisting in the wind is Verizon's (AND AT&T's) copper networks.
BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Wakefield, MA

BosstonesOwn

Member

Re: talk is cheap

What is to stop a customer from going one city over to a mall and subscribing there ? Do you honestly think that Comcast won't take their money and the system won't spit out credits or deals because they run "checks" ?

It's a joke, an absolute joke , this should not be allowed, at all, unless they open up fios to competitors and then also open up the cable lines data channels to competitors as well.

These companies are just running wild in our country because they are not being controlled by the government that is elected to work for us the people. Im sorry but a corporation is not a person.

They didn't even enforce all the comcast merger terms either. Utter rubbish!
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: talk is cheap

Please. Everyone is getting their panties in a knot over nothing. As I said you rather cable squat on this spectrum and never use it? How does that help the consumer?
BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Wakefield, MA

BosstonesOwn

Member

Re: talk is cheap

That is the problem just like speculators are destroying other markets by squatting on stuff to try and profit, if they can't use it take it away for what they paid and give it to those who can for a fair price, or have relicensing , if they don't use it or show valid plans to use it, then they lose it. But no we can't actually ask our elected officials to actually do something that helps the people, that is asking to much.

JasonOD
@comcast.net

JasonOD to tmc8080

Anon

to tmc8080
said by tmc8080:

What happens if Verizon or Comcast break the deal?...

Break the agreement? If VZ or Comcast wants to start selling both FIOS and Xfinity in overlapping markets, the jokes on them!

And if unions are out of the picture in 5 years, it will be their own fault. They are their own worst enemy.
25139889 (banned)
join:2011-10-25
Toledo, OH

25139889 (banned)

Member

Re: talk is cheap

very true they are!
25139889

25139889 (banned) to tmc8080

Member

to tmc8080
and again, it's their right not to have union labor. Other companies don't have it; and they can get rid of it too. Stop crying and look for another job or go to trade school.

You don't see the UAW out here on DSLR crying about their jobs that they lost and are still losing.
big_e
join:2011-03-05

1 edit

big_e

Member

Re: talk is cheap

And once the republicans manage to outlaw all collective bargaining what will they blame next for their inability to create jobs? It will be those pesky minimum wage and overtime laws. They inhibit the right of companies to work people as much as they want and pay as little they want. Those selfish lazy workers don't want to work 60+ hours a week at $4 an hour well screw them. Let them starve.
25139889 (banned)
join:2011-10-25
Toledo, OH

25139889 (banned)

Member

Re: talk is cheap

We have government laws and regulation that keeps companies from doing that. Union workers are a drain on the company; look at what they did to the Auto Companies; sent them bankrupt only to come back crying when the companies would NOT give them the same pay and profit sharing. If you want profit sharing- invest in the company otherwise keep walking.

bige_1977
@comcastbusiness.net

bige_1977

Anon

Re: talk is cheap

To the right wing overtime, minimum wage and child labor laws are now considered forms of socialism that unfairly impedes the free market that must be eliminated. In this day in age. It just isn't unions workers that are considered a drain on a company, its anyone who earns a wage as we are currently in a race to the bottom. Companies lament the fact we can't settle for dollars per day like China or Mexico.
25139889 (banned)
join:2011-10-25
Toledo, OH

25139889 (banned)

Member

Re: talk is cheap

And you know who created all that- the UNIONS.

ITALIAN926
join:2003-08-16

ITALIAN926

Member

Re: talk is cheap

You should do some research on Unions, you might develop a small amount of appreciation for their history, and the things they created that benefit even your ignorant life.

glennbo
@verizon.net

glennbo to 25139889

Anon

to 25139889
said by 25139889:

And you know who created all that- the UNIONS.

do you get a paid vacation paid holidays sick time 401k any type of beny thank a union member. oh yeah was it not union members who ran into the burning buildings on 9/11??
Expand your moderator at work

dgoldman
@cwa-union.org

dgoldman

Anon

Contact the FCC

Let the FCC know that you oppose this deal. Here's the link to make a comment, the proceeding is 12-4

»apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload ··· edFrom=X
25139889 (banned)
join:2011-10-25
Toledo, OH

25139889 (banned)

Member

Re: Contact the FCC

The FCC doesn't care about your CWA Union nor anyone else. You should really take that money from those people and work isntead of sitting on here.

Maybe even go back to school for something useful as soon the union dream will be killed
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

1 recommendation

88615298 (banned) to dgoldman

Member

to dgoldman
said by dgoldman :

Let the FCC know that you oppose this deal. Here's the link to make a comment, the proceeding is 12-4

»apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload ··· edFrom=X

I don't oppose it. The more spectrum Verizon gets from other sources the less it needs from OTA TV.

Gozo8
join:2012-07-25

Gozo8 to dgoldman

Member

to dgoldman
This is your typical arrogant union double chin fat cat telling people what to do instead of taking the time to explain his position.

When the IRS isnt taxing the hell out of businesses, the unions are leeching off whatever is left.

OTOH these empty suit content providers like verizon and charter still live in the 80's - 90's and think people will continue to pay through the nose to watch TV despite the crumbling economy, massive unemployment and the widespread availability of over the air HDTV, hulu, netflix, p2p file sharing and other alternatives.

The government, unions and large corporations are run by arrogant bumbling idiots who are killing whats left of this country.
25139889 (banned)
join:2011-10-25
Toledo, OH

25139889 (banned)

Member

Re: Contact the FCC

and yes you will pay for the content; its either that or you don't get it. p2P does nothing but promote illegal activity which this site promotes - which they are lucky they can't get sued for it.

And this was never about paying for TV, it was about them having a marketing deal- the same one that CentLink and Verizon have. Oh wait- the Union's won't cry about that because its with a union company.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned) to Gozo8

Member

to Gozo8
said by Gozo8:

When the IRS isnt taxing the hell out of businesses, the unions are leeching off whatever is left.

A) I have read story after story about how many billion $$ companies pay ZERO income taxes or less than 10% income taxes. And even if it was 50% businesses just pass that cost onto their customers anyways. So do they really pay ANYTHING in the first place.

B) Unions. Private sector jobs that are unionized are near 6% if that.
old_wiz_60
join:2005-06-03
Bedford, MA

old_wiz_60

Member

Conditions...

are just paper, Verizon will simply ignore them if they get in the way. The DOJ will complain and Verizon will pay a "fine" (bribe) to make the complaints go away.
25139889 (banned)
join:2011-10-25
Toledo, OH

25139889 (banned)

Member

Re: Conditions...

as they should go away. This deal is NOT with Verizon. It's with CellCo Partnership. They are NOT Verizon and its not with the cable companies; it's with Spectrum Co- the company that owns the spectrum that CellCo wants to purchase.
CXM_Splicer
Looking at the bigger picture
Premium Member
join:2011-08-11
NYC

CXM_Splicer

Premium Member

Re: Conditions...

quote:
This deal is NOT with Verizon. It's with CellCo Partnership.

Who owns the US portion of CellCo?
25139889 (banned)
join:2011-10-25
Toledo, OH

25139889 (banned)

Member

Re: Conditions...

that doesn't matter. CellCo Partnership is its owns company. The same as AT&T owns AT&T Mobility, Inc. The wireless companies are NOT the same as their parent company. If they were the same company; Vodafone would own part of Verizon. The only thing they really share that is in the public is the same brandname.

VZ needs to rebrand them, create their own board and all with CellCo and tell the DOJ to take a hike along with the rest of the people against this- including the "union". And then while they're at it- sell off the rest of their landline networks.

ITALIAN926
join:2003-08-16

ITALIAN926

Member

Re: Conditions...

"That doesnt matter" LMFAO

Stop calling it Celco, its VERIZON WIRELESS. Get a clue. What is the stocK symbol for Celco Mr Brain? Ooops, dont tell me its VZ !!!!

Verizon creating a deal to destroy their landline business is completely absurd, in all eyes except yours and like 2, 3 other people on this website. You obviously dont understand what the word "competition" means, you should check out www.webster.com

The 96 telecom act was created to bring about competition between the telcos and cable industry. Not for them to romance each other. You obviously have interests in VZW, its really sad that you let greed overcome your very own common sense.
CXM_Splicer
Looking at the bigger picture
Premium Member
join:2011-08-11
NYC

CXM_Splicer to 25139889

Premium Member

to 25139889
said by 25139889:

that doesn't matter. CellCo Partnership is its owns company.

Sorry, but if it REALLY didn't matter you would have simply answered that Verizon owns them. When VZ owns them and 'calls their shots' (after all, the current VZ CEO used to be the VZW CEO!!) you have to admit that they are only separate companies for legal and financial convenience.

FWIW, I agree that it would be in Verizon's best interests (considering their Wall St. pleasing mentality) to separate the companies much further than they currently are. The proper way to do that would be to spin off POTS as a separate company and let it go bankrupt but I suspect that there are regulatory issues that prevent that from happening.

The reason this shouldn't happen is that tens of millions of people and small businesses still rely on POTS and killing it off prematurely for the sake of Wall St. is not in the customers' best interests. Do you propose that the shareholders' interests takes precedence over the tens of millions of customers?

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