ATLANTA,
June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EarthLink, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELNK), one of the nation's
leading Internet service providers, today filed at the Federal Communications
Commission a Petition to Condition or Deny the proposed merger of Comcast Corporation
and NBC Universal. (See http://www.earthlink.net/go/merger for EarthLink's
Petition.)EarthLink
believes the transaction would result in Comcast engaging in a range of anti-competitive
actions that will reduce consumer choice, restrict content diversity, and interfere
with Internet competition. To remedy these harms, EarthLink proposed the FCC adopt
a condition requiring Comcast to offer wholesale standalone broadband access to
independent Internet service providers. EarthLink's successful and long-standing
wholesale relationship with Time Warner Cable demonstrates that merger conditions
implementing competitive broadband access can enhance consumer choice and create
commercial benefits for all parties. "The
access condition that EarthLink proposes today for the Comcast-NBCU merger will
be a win for consumers and a win for online competition," said EarthLink
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rolla Huff. "The condition essentially
enables Comcast customers to 'break the bundle' and purchase only the services
they need or want. We look forward to working with the FCC and the U.S. Department
of Justice to ensure the transaction results in greater consumer choice and competition." About
EarthLink
"EarthLink.
We revolve around you(TM)." A leading Internet service provider, Atlanta-based
EarthLink has earned an award-winning reputation for outstanding customer service
and its suite of online products and services. EarthLink offers what every user
should expect from their Internet experience: high-quality connectivity, minimal
online intrusions and customizable features. Whether it's dial up, high speed,
voice, web hosting or "EarthLink Extras" like home networking or security,
EarthLink connects people to the power and possibilities of the Internet. Learn
more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK or visiting EarthLink's website
at www.earthlink.net. SOURCE
EarthLink, Inc. |