Statement for the Record: Verizon Cable Deals Kill Competition 12-4

Reportedly, Verizon Wireless and Comcast are already under way with their partnership. The companies resell each other's products in Portland and Seattle, and yesterday announced they would expand the arrangement to the San Francisco Bay area. Customers who buy Comcast's Xfinity service and a Verizon Wireless smartphone may be able to get $300 back in the form of a prepaid debit card.

That might sound nice as on the surface it may translate into some savings for consumers but the withdrawal of Verizon Communications from the land-line market might result in higher prices for TV, Internet and telephone service and give Verizon more wireless spectrum at a time when they have plenty. I worry with less available spectrum for smaller carriers they may be forced out of business by the biggest carriers. The Senate Antitrust Subcommittee is rightly examining the deal’s anti-competitive impacts. In fact the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Herb Kohl is calling for a DOJ and FCC investigation as is Senator Al Franken.

I urge the FCC and Justice if they approve the deals to do so while striking down the marketing agreements and forbidding Verizon from implementing these marketing agreements or striking similar ones in the future with other cable companies. So should the deals be approved it should be done conditionally on the condition the marketing agreements be forbidden. If you feel Verizon has too much spectrum already and should not be allowed to acquire more then deny these transactions outright.

Sincerely,

Mr. Maneesh Pangasa

3562 South 18th Avenue

Yuma AZ 85365-3937