CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION _________________
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A RESOLUTION proposing that certain public-interest obligations be required of Comcast Corporation for its proposed merger with Time Warner Cable Incorporated in the event the merger is approved by the Federal Communications Commission.
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WHEREAS, in 2010 Comcast Corporation purchased NBC Universal for $30 billion and in 2014 it announced plans to purchase Time Warner Cable for $45 billion; and
WHEREAS, Comcast Corporation leads the U.S. with nearly 22 million cable subscribers and over 20 million broadband subscribers while Time Warner Cable is the second-largest U.S. cable company, with roughly 11 million cable and broadband subscribers, together representing roughly half of all paying cable-TV-phone customers in the U. S.; and
WHEREAS, since the announcement of the proposed Comcast Corporation-Time Warner Cable merger, Comcast Corporation has made permanent its 3-year pilot program, Internet Essentials, which provides discount Internet service, low cost computer purchases, and digital literacy training to certain low income families; and
WHEREAS, United States antitrust laws regulate the conduct and organization of business corporations to promote fair competition for the benefit of consumers in part by restricting mergers and acquisitions that can substantially lessen competition and abuse monopoly power; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Communication Commission has recorded a number of sanctions against Comcast Corporation regarding fair competition among cable and Internet service providers, technological innovation, consumer service, and adherence to national and local operating agreements;
WHEREAS, the proposed merger of Comcast Corporation and Time Warner Cable is currently under review for approval by the Federal Communication Commission;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The City of Seattle ...
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