As the Time Warner Cable/Comcast mega-deal continues through the regulatory gauntlet of the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission, the FCC public commenting period has opened. In line with several surveys of consumers, the reviews are not positive.
According to those surveys, citizens fear the behemoth company that would result from such a merger would continue the tradition of poor customer service that both companies provide, but now with higher prices.
To punctuate the customer service that industry-leader Comcast provides, last week a recording of a man trying to disconnect his Comcast service and the resulting consternation-causing conversation went viral. Listen below.
"Why is it that you don't want this speed?"
TWC/Comcast aren't alone though, with AT&T and DirecTV announcing their own mega-merger. Enormous consolidation efforts paired with net-neutrality on the ropes has consumer advocates very, very worried.
Guests:
- Delara Derakhshani, policy counsel for Consumers Union, the advocacy arm for Consumer Reports
- Chris Lewis, vice president for government affairs at Public Knowledge, a public-interest group concerned about choice in the digital marketplace
