FCC denied petition from Litigation Recovery Trust to reconsider ...
FCC denied petition from Litigation Recovery Trust to reconsider approval of Telenor’s acquisition of Comcast from Lockheed Martin. Commission approved applications by Lockheed Martin Global Communications to assign certain Title 2 common carrier authorizations and Title 3 radio licenses…
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held by Comcast to Telenor on Dec. 18, 2001, as part of transfer of Comsat acquisition. LRT argued that transfer of control violated ORBIT Act because Telenor was able to increase stake in former govt. signatory Inmarsat. LRT also said Telenor won contract to provide telecom services to NATO by underbidding by $8 million carrier that previously held contract. Bid raised questions about Telenor relationship with Norway, LRT said. Commission said change in ownership wouldn’t affect competitive market in U.S. and LRT had failed to present clear and convincing evidence violation had occurred. Comr. Copps disagreed, saying foreign govt. control represented “serious threat to competition” and acquisition by Telenor could give it “significant market power” that could be “used to cross-subsidize competitive services.” Commission’s “unrelenting march toward allowing more and more foreign control of U.S. licensees runs counter to what should be the U.S. goal of promoting global telecom market,” Copps said. Result of 79% of indirect foreign ownership is highest level of govt. control of U.S. license allowed in Commission history, he said.