Comcast and Time Warner join forces to kill the Internet as we know it [View all]

[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