IP: Satellite TV deal would be sad sign for telecom industry

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

BY DAN GILLMOR

Mercury News Technology Columnist

Several years ago, when the local cable-television company had refused to 
stop treating me like, well, a cable-TV customer, I knew I had other 
choices. Two direct-broadcast satellite companies, Dish Network and 
DirecTV, vied for my business.

I chose Dish, the service offered by EchoStar Communications, for a variety 
of reasons. Not least was the company's scrappy style, and its apparent 
grasp of ``customer service'' as more than just words in a slogan.

Now Dish wants to buy out DirecTV, which is owned by General Motors' Hughes 
Electronics unit. This deal would be wonderful for Dish and its 
shareholders, but not so great for customers.

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This proposed deal is about more than just couch potatoes. Its outcome will 
tell us whether the people charged with promoting competition in Washington 
mean to do their jobs, or whether the oligopolists and monopolists will 
enjoy unfettered control over the chokepoints of tomorrow's communications.
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