Liberty-GCI Dodging Critics' Issues, Quintillion Says
Liberty Interactive and General Communication Inc.'s joint opposition to petitions to deny (see 1707060045) sidestepped serious questions about how Liberty/GCI deal would affect Alaskans, Quintillion Networks said in an FCC docket 17-114 filing posted Thursday. It said the companies didn't…
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address such issues as GCI receiving substantial public funding for building networks in remote Alaska but operating them in a manner that doesn't allow meaningful competition or "exorbitant" end-user pricing for broadband access or throttling practices. Quintillion said the now-completed FTC review -- with the agency having cleared the deal on Tuesday, according to an early termination notice -- doesn't obviate the need for an FCC public interest review. Quintillion said, given the increased risks of Liberty/GCI using its market pricing to foreclose against competition, the agency should pay attention to its and Alaska Communications System's calls for conditions. Asked to comment, GCI referred us to the joint opposition.