Comcast and Time Warner join forces to kill the Internet as we know it

[Renew Deal]

It seems that Comcast and Time Warner Cable have finally reached a merger deal. Well, not really a merger: Comcast will be acquiring Time Warner Cable for $45 billion in stock. Seems like a steal, doesn't it? I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

Think about it -- why wouldn't the United States want the two largest ISPs to merge? Remember that Comcast also owns NBC Universal, so it would own the largest cable and Internet footprint in the country, along with movie studios, broadcast channels, and cable channels. It seems like just the thing we need to inspire that all-powerful invisible hand of the free market. I can smell the competition emerging from this deal. Also, no harm can come from combining two of the most hated companies in the country, right?

It's clear that we're watching clueless legislators, judges, and political appointees grant carte blanche to regional monopolies and nationwide oilgopolies, and Comcast seriously believes that the acquisition of Time Warner Cable will cause no problems with federal regulations on monopolies. Given some of the more abhorrent stances taken by the FCC and others, it might be right.

We're putting Ma Bell back together again, but this time Ma Bell will own a bunch of television channels and movie studios as well. One can only imagine how this will impact a country that is already enduring lackluster broadband speeds and buildouts. Further consolidation of the big ISPs and cable providers will only accelerate that trend -- downward. For reference, here's a list of companies Comcast will own if this merger succeeds.
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http://www.infoworld.com/d/data-center/comcast-and-time-warner-join-forces-kill-the-internet-we-know-it-236392

[msongs]

1. my time-warner internet only fee has gone up 3 times in the last 2 years. we are punished for not

getting all that garbage tv stuff they make most $$ off of

[indie9197]

6. I just discovered the same thing when I just moved.

I will pay $61 / month for just internet plus $29 to hook me up. It is already a shakedown. I could have got basic TV for about $70 but I dont want to sign a 2 year contract for TV. Its amazing how Dish, Directv, Comcast, and CenturyLink already have the same prices.

I think I can do without TV. I am planning to find some healthier and more intellectually stimulating hobbies. F$CK 'em

[Auggie]

2. Disagree … legislators, judges, and political appointees are not clueless

they damn well know EXACTLY what's going on

[Doctor_J]

3. amen to that

They know who they work for

[bananas]

4. "We're putting Ma Bell back together again" - not even close.

Bell Laboratories operates its headquarters at Murray Hill, New Jersey, and has research and development facilities throughout the world. Researchers working at Bell Labs are credited with the development of radio astronomy, the transistor, the laser, the charge-coupled device (CCD), information theory, the UNIX operating system, the C programming language, S programming language and the C++ programming language. Seven Nobel Prizes have been awarded for work completed at Bell Laboratories.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Labs

[dburner1]

5. TWC Rate

Already received today what appears to be a substantial rate increase from
TWC. Couldn,t really tell as they do there best to hide actual rates.
will be on their door step tomorrow morning returning their equipment and cancelling all service.