The FCC should “stop the clock” on its consideration of...
The FCC should “stop the clock” on its consideration of Verizon Wireless’s buy of AWS licenses from SpectrumCo and Cox, until the companies file unredacted versions of various associated marketing agreements, said competitors, trade associations and public interest groups in…
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a letter to the agency. “The Applicants claim that the Commercial Agreements are neither anticompetitive nor relevant to this proceeding,” the letter said (http://xrl.us/bmw9gq). “Although they have submitted those agreements into the record, they redacted extensive portions of the documents that they unilaterally deemed too sensitive for disclosure even subject to the stringent confidentiality provisions of the Protective Orders issued in this proceeding.” Among those signing the letter were Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, DirecTV, Free Press, Public Knowledge and the Media Access Project, as well as the Rural Cellular Association and the Rural Telecommunications Group. “If, as the Applicants contend, the redacted materials are not relevant to this proceeding, then after reviewing them, all concerned will be free to turn their attention to other issues in this proceeding,” the letter said. “It is disappointing, yet not surprising that Verizon has refused to release unredacted documents regarding the proposed spectrum acquisitions of SpectrumCo and Cox,” said RCA President Steve Berry. “This is obviously another attempt by a market dominant company to shut out competitors, and the FCC should not allow such conduct. After AT&T’s failure to acquire T-Mobile, the FCC, more than any other agency, should understand the serious competitive concerns from further consolidation in the industry.” Tuesday was officially day 47 of the commission’s review of the Verizon/cable deals. “The cross-marketing agreements are redacted to protect sensitive business information, such as pricing, that would undermine competition and ultimately harm consumers,” said a Verizon spokesman. “Officials at the FCC who have inquired about the agreements, and the Department of Justice, who require access to the full versions of the agreements for purposes of its review, have access to them.” The “cross-marketing agreements are redacted to protect sensitive business information, such as pricing, that would undermine competition and ultimately harm consumers,” said a Verizon spokesman. “Officials at the FCC who have inquired about the agreements, and the Department of Justice, who require access to the full versions of the agreements for purposes of its review, have access to them."