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The FCC, the DOJ, and the Case for Blocking the Comcast-Time Warner Cable Deal

Phillip Dampier April 23, 2015 Comcast/Xfinity, Competition, Consumer News, Online Video, Public Policy & Gov't, Video Comments Off on The FCC, the DOJ, and the Case for Blocking the Comcast-Time Warner Cable Deal

[flv]http://www.phillipdampier.com/video/Bloomberg FCC DOJ and the Case for Blocking Comcast-TWC Deal 4-23-15.flv[/flv]

Comcast earned the opposition of the Federal Communications Commission, along with the Department of Justice, as it seeks to complete a $45.2 billion acquisition of Time-Warner Cable. Bloomberg’s Alex Sherman Reports on “Bloomberg Surveillance.” (2:17)

Comcast+TWC: Why a Cable Behemoth Would Be Bad for Business

Phillip Dampier April 23, 2015 Comcast/Xfinity, Competition, Consumer News, Online Video, Public Policy & Gov't, Video Comments Off on Comcast+TWC: Why a Cable Behemoth Would Be Bad for Business

[flv]http://www.phillipdampier.com/video/Bloomberg Comcast TWC Why a Cable Behemoth Is Bad for Business 4-23-15.flv[/flv]

BTIG Media and Tech Analyst Rich Greenfield discusses the fight against a Time Warner Cable and Comcast merger deal. Bloomberg Intelligence’s Paul Sweeney also speaks on “Bloomberg Surveillance.” (5:10)

Why the Comcast-TWC Merger Was Being Questioned by the FCC, Justice Dept.

Phillip Dampier April 23, 2015 Comcast/Xfinity, Competition, Consumer News, Online Video, Public Policy & Gov't, Video Comments Off on Why the Comcast-TWC Merger Was Being Questioned by the FCC, Justice Dept.

[flv]http://www.phillipdampier.com/video/Bloomberg Why the Comcast-TWC Merger Is Being Questioned 4-23-15.flv[/flv]

Comcast and Time Warner Cable met with the U.S. Department of Justice this week to discuss Comcast’s $45.2 billion bid to buy its smaller peer. Comcast could ultimately walk away from the deal if the concessions needed to win approval are too strict. Bloomberg’s David Gura explains everything you need to know about the merger proposal. (1:44)

Comcast’s Dominance in Broadband Will Probably End Any Further Broadband Acquisitions in the U.S.

Phillip Dampier April 23, 2015 Comcast/Xfinity, Competition, Consumer News, Online Video, Public Policy & Gov't, Video Comments Off on Comcast’s Dominance in Broadband Will Probably End Any Further Broadband Acquisitions in the U.S.

[flv]http://www.phillipdampier.com/video/Bloomberg Broadband May Shut Comcast Out of Acquisitions 4-23-15.flv[/flv]

Bloomberg News reports Comcast’s broadband market share (with or without Time Warner Cable) is probably too large to allow it any more mergers or acquisitions in the broadband market. Chris Marangi, portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, discusses the fight in Washington over Comcast’s proposed merger with Time Warner Cable, what may happen next in the cable industry if the deal is killed and also looks at the business of Facebook. He speaks on “Market Makers.” Marangi’s firm owns shares of Comcast and Time Warner Cable. (8:29)

Google Unveils Project Fi Wireless Service: $20/Mo Voice/Text + $10/GB Data Plan That Credits Back Unused Data

google fiGoogle today unveiled their new wireless service, dubbed Project Fi, the first wireless carrier that combines the coverage of two competing cellular providers — Sprint and T-Mobile — to deliver affordable wireless service and a data plan that rebates back any unused portion of your monthly allowance. There are no term contracts, early termination fees, or overlimit penalty charges.

Google’s calling plan starts with Fi Basics for $20 per month. This includes:

  • Unlimited domestic talk and text;
  • Unlimited international texts;
  • Low-cost international calls;
  • Wi-Fi tethering;
  • Coverage in 120+ countries (Unlimited international texts are included in the plan, Cellular calls cost 20c per minute. If calling over Wi-Fi, per-minute costs vary based on which country you’re calling and you’re charged only for outbound calls.)

There is no unlimited data plan, presumably because neither T-Mobile or Sprint was willing to allow Google to offer one. Google tries to turn that into a plus by telling customers they should only pay for the data they actually use. The 2G/3G/4G data plan is $10/GB, sold in 1GB increments up to 10GB. Whatever data you do not use is converted into a cash amount credited to the following month’s bill. Instead of rolling over data, you roll over dollars. If you exceed your allowance, there are no penalty overlimit fees. Instead, you are charged $10 for an additional gigabyte of usage, with the same privilege of getting a cash credit applied to your next bill for any data you didn’t use.

Google assumes you will spend most of your time connected to Wi-Fi, where it offers free Wi-Fi calling and texting. If you lose your Wi-Fi connection, the phone will connect to either Sprint or T-Mobile’s network without losing a call in-progress. Another unique aspect of the service is that your mobile phone number lives in the cloud, so you can talk and text with your number on just about any phone, tablet or laptop using Google Hangouts.

The Nexus 6 is a real handful. It's also the only phone that will currently work on Google Fi.

The Nexus 6 is a real handful. It’s also the only phone that will work on Google Fi.

Google Project Fi relies on Sprint and T-Mobile’s combined networks to deliver coverage, trying to satisfy customers seeking Verizon or AT&T-like coverage. Google’s service seamlessly chooses Wi-Fi first, followed by Sprint or T-Mobile depending on which offers the best 4G signal at your location.

Although the service has been anticipated for some time, there are some caveats to consider before rushing to sign up.

First, you cannot sign-up immediately, you can only request an invitation. As with many other new Google projects, invitation-only service means it could be days, weeks, or even a month before you can sign-up.

Second, a view of Google’s coverage map shows Project Fi has substantially reduced dead spots, but has not eliminated them. Project Fi would likely appeal to Sprint or T-Mobile customers now frustrated by their suburban coverage. Chances are good that between the two carriers, one will deliver a robust signal even if the other does not. But rural areas have always been bypassed by both carriers and this makes Project Fi a bad choice if Sprint and T-Mobile are not good options where you live or work.

For example, much of eastern Kentucky, virtually the entire state of West Virginia, and western Virginia offer little to no 3G/4G coverage. Google Fi only promises 2G coverage in these areas, through a roaming agreement T-Mobile or Sprint has with a larger carrier.

Third, unless you already own a Nexus 6, you will be spending at least $650 to buy a new smartphone. Google will initially only support the Nexus 6 for Project Fi, because it is the only phone capable of switching between Google’s wireless partners. It comes in your choice of colors, if your choice is “Midnight Blue.” The smartphone offers two storage sizes—32GB ($649) and 64GB ($699). You can buy the Nexus 6 up front or finance your phone at 0% interest or fees for 24 months at $27.04/month for the 32GB option or $29.12/month for the 64GB option. A credit check is required for the financing option.

Fourth, there are no family plan options. Each phone is assigned to its own account. If you intend to switch your family of four, you will be dealing with four individual accounts (and a whopping $2,600 to acquire four Nexus 6 phones). Because of the invitation-only approach now in effect, it may take some time to get all of your family members up and running.

Finally, Google intends that its mobile service effectively sells itself. That means they are not offering promotions to sign up and will not pay your existing carrier to cover any early termination fees. You can port your current landline or mobile telephone number to the service. Google does not disclose any fees for doing so.

[flv]http://www.phillipdampier.com/video/Google Project Fi 4-22-15.mp4[/flv]

Google produced this introductory video about its new wireless service: Google Project Fi. (1:56)

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