Rule-cutting and mergers on cable agenda
As the NCTA’s new head, Gardner will be representing the interests of Comcast, Charter, and other cable companies. He can be expected to continue the group’s long-term fight against government regulations applied to cable TV and broadband providers. He won’t have much trouble convincing the current FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, who has embarked on a project to “delete” as many telecom regulations as possible.
The NCTA’s announcement said that during Gardner’s time in Congress, he “held committee assignments in both chambers that oversaw technology and telecommunications policy.” NCTA Board Chair Mark Greatrex, who is also president of cable company Cox, said that Gardner’s “bipartisan approach, strategic relationships, and deep understanding of the policy landscape will continue to strengthen NCTA’s advocacy in Washington and support our commitment to delivering compelling services for consumers, businesses and communities.”
The NCTA and CTIA sometimes have conflicting interests. As we’ve written, the wireless and cable industries are fighting each other over access to spectrum. A new US law allows the FCC to auction off spectrum currently allocated to Wi-Fi and the the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), setting up a potential battle involving the industry lobbies and various advocacy groups.
Getting mergers approved is another regulatory priority for cable companies. Charter is seeking the government’s permission to buy Cox for $34.5 billion in a merger that would make it the largest home Internet provider in the US, passing Comcast. (Disclosure: The Advance/Newhouse Partnership, which owns 12 percent of Charter, is part of Advance Publications, which owns Ars Technica parent Condé Nast.)
