Press Release
Free Press Urges FCC to Closely Examine Proposed CenturyLink and Qwest Deal
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- In response to the announcement that CenturyLink and Qwest Communications have agreed to merge, Free Press Research Director S. Derek Turner said:
"We will encourage the Federal Communications Commission to take a very close look at this proposed deal, in order to ensure that consumers -- not just shareholders -- benefit from this massive merger.
"These two companies serve large swaths of rural America that have yet to see deployment of high-quality broadband services. We expect the FCC to closely examine the merged company's commitment to deploying next-generation technology and their willingness to adhere to open Internet principles.
"The FCC should also carefully review how this transaction might impact the Universal Service Fund, and ensure that if approved, the deal will place no burden on this already bloated and inefficient subsidy program.
"This merger raises many questions, and we hope the government is vigilant in its efforts to get the answers needed to make certain that this transaction is truly in the public interest."
"We will encourage the Federal Communications Commission to take a very close look at this proposed deal, in order to ensure that consumers -- not just shareholders -- benefit from this massive merger.
"These two companies serve large swaths of rural America that have yet to see deployment of high-quality broadband services. We expect the FCC to closely examine the merged company's commitment to deploying next-generation technology and their willingness to adhere to open Internet principles.
"The FCC should also carefully review how this transaction might impact the Universal Service Fund, and ensure that if approved, the deal will place no burden on this already bloated and inefficient subsidy program.
"This merger raises many questions, and we hope the government is vigilant in its efforts to get the answers needed to make certain that this transaction is truly in the public interest."
