EchoStar remains ‘confident’ FCC will approve its acquisition of ...
EchoStar remains “confident” FCC will approve its acquisition of DirecTV “after reviewing all of the facts,” CEO Charles Ergen said. Company released long list of supporters. Hughes CEO Jack Shaw said consumers would benefit because of “vigorous competition it…
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creates to cable companies.” Meanwhile, Northpoint filed petition to reject deal, saying it would create EchoStar capable of wielding monopoly power to thwart entry and success of new competitors. Serious consideration of approval must be conditioned by following, Northpoint said: (1) Commission should require navigation devices be open and accessible to 3rd-party providers to assure commercial availability. (2) Applicants must adhere to open protocols and standards that allow for delivery of both terrestrial and satellite systems. (3) Applicants must refrain from engaging in anticompetitive conduct designed solely to derail competitors. Northpoint also said EchoStar bid should be denied because of past bad conduct that evidenced willingness to violate Commission rules. Vivendi Universal said deal would allow it to launch first U.S. iTV network. Programmers such as Vivendi also could provide more diverse programming while allowing EchoStar to develop new and innovative services for consumers, it said. Vivendi also promised to launch new networks and provide alternative to established programmers and offer entirely new formats.