GOP election gains would boost top phone, cable and broadcasting...
GOP election gains would boost top phone, cable and broadcasting companies, Stifel Nicolaus said in an analyst note Monday. And it would disadvantage their telecom, media and tech rivals, including Sprint Nextel, Google and Dish Network, the analysts said. Spectrum,…
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privacy and revamping the Universal Service Fund may be less partisan, but “the expected Republican House takeover and more closely divided Senate appear likely to reinforce gridlock on most bills, with aggressive GOP oversight slowing the FCC agenda.” A GOP House win would diminish the chances of a net neutrality deal by current House Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the analysts said. “Our sense is the FCC could move forward with a net neutrality order, building off consensus already reached and without reclassifying,” they said. “Without Title II pressure or some other driver, broadband reform legislation seems unlikely next Congress.” A GOP takeover of the House would also be a setback for Universal Service Fund legislation by Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., since it would mean the end of his chairmanship on the House Communications Subcommittee, the analysts said. Republican gains would help broadcasters in battles over retransmission consent, spectrum reallocation and radio performance fees, the analysts said. And GOP gains would help big telcos resist rivals’ calls for special access regulation, they said. In addition, Republicans would likely support lowering corporate taxes and oppose new overseas earnings restrictions for companies, Stifel Nicolaus said. A comprehensive spectrum bill could go forward no matter what happens, since both parties support wireless broadband and recognize the need for more spectrum, they said.