US: MN Senator concerned Comcast buy will harm net neutrality

While Comcast has assured that agreements made in 2011 to treat all Internet traffic the same would extend into its plans to acquire Time Warner Cable, one US senator is not so sure.

Reports say Senator Al Franken (D-MN) senator letter to the US Department of Justice to outline concerns over the cable merger. “I am concerned that Comcast’s proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable could compromise the open nature of the Internet,” he wrote in the letter, reportedly sent to officials this week.

Lawmakers are currently rewriting rules on net neutrality that were previously rejected by a federal court only weeks ago. While the legislation remains in limbo, Comcast argues that its TWC buy would actually extend and preserve its net neutrality commitments.

Comcast agreed to equally treat all Internet traffic, and not to slow access to certain websites, when it acquired NBC Universal in 2011.

But according to Senator Franken, “Comcast’s statements tell only part of the story.” The Congressman pointed out that Comcast’s commitments expire in 2018.

Further, he argued, Comcast’s agreement does not extend to “peering” deals that can be made between Internet companies.

Widespread merger review

Senator Franken’s letter was sent as the DOJ is set to review the deal and analyze its effects on competition in the broadband industry. Recently, reports say the merger will also be scrutinized on the state level.

The most recent reports say six states have signed on to review the deal: Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Connecticut, Indiana and Maryland.

At least Florida, and likely more states, is part of a cooperative to review the $45.2 billion deal alongside regulators.

The Federal Communications Commission is also set to scrutinize the acquisition.

While state attorneys general are set to conduct their own investigations, experts say states will not likely reach different conclusions than what will be reached by the DOJ regarding mergers.

Full Content: The Hill and Philly.com

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