FCC Fines Comcast for Violation of NBCUniversal Deal Condition
The cable giant agreed to pay $800,000 and promised to continue offering affordable broadband services on a standalone basis.
Cable giant Comcast has agreed to pay $800,000 as part of a settlement with the FCC, which said the company failed to keep up promises made to regulators when they approved its acquisition of NBCUniversal.
The company had agreed to market affordable broadband services on a standalone basis, meaning Internet services available outside cable TV bundles. Consumers had in complaints argued that Comcast's service offers weren't fully up to the promised standards.
Pay TV companies have faced the risk of some consumers getting their TV fix simply via broadband and such online video providers as Netflix and Hulu.
The FCC announced the settlement with Comcast late Wednesday. It said Comcast also agreed to extend its promise to offer standalone broadband service for an additional year.
"Today’s action demonstrates that compliance with Commission orders is not optional," FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said in a statement. "The remedies today will benefit consumers and foster competition, including from online video and satellite providers, by ensuring that standalone broadband is truly available in Comcast’s service areas."
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