“U.S. regulators, concerned about a monopoly that could
control access to Internet content, are prepared to block the
merger of America Online Inc. (AOL) and Time Warner Inc., The
Washington Post reports. The newspaper reported in its Monday
edition that Federal Trade Commission (FTC) attorneys want to
ensure the post-merger giant will open access to its high-speed
cable lines to competing content providers.”
“FTC officials are worried that in markets where Time Warner
operates cable systems, consumers could be forced to accept
exclusively AOL-Time Warner-controlled content in order to get
high-speed Internet access, according to the report.”
“AOL maintains it is committed to open access, citing a recent
deal giving Juno Online Services Inc. access to its cable lines,
report in The Washington Post said.”