Herb Kohl

Proposed AT&T Merger Made for Strange Bedfellows

Stevie Converse — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:01:48 -0400

Full article: National Journal
Josh Smith
The Justice Department’s announcement that it would sue to stop AT&T's merger with T-Mobile may be only the beginning of a major legal fight, but reaction to the news highlighted the sometimes unusual divisions and alliances that have marked debate over the deal.

Comcast-NBC Pledge Diversity Channels

Stevie Converse — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:27:51 -0400

Full article: Media Post
David Goetzl
Despite one senator's efforts, Comcast continues to have no plans to divest its stake in Hulu if a joint venture with NBC Universal is completed. But looking to appeal to legislators, Comcast pledged to add eight independent TV networks -- four each controlled by African-American and Hispanic interests -- to its cable system, while creating a $20 million fund to assist minority entrepreneurs.

NBC Faces Criticism, Scrutiny on Olympic Pay Coverage

Stevie Converse — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:26:01 -0500

Full article: TMCNet
David Simms
Bashed on all sides already for its coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, NBC has now received a letter from the top senator on antitrust matters has expressed concern that "some of its Internet coverage of the Winter Olympics is limited to pay television subscribers."

Senator Asks NBC About Olympic Site Pay-TV Link

Stevie Converse — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:02:26 -0500

Full article: Reuters
Diane Bartz
Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) has written to NBC to express concern that some of its Internet coverage of the Winter Olympics is limited to pay television subscribers. Kohl said he fears the practice of locking up certain content only for pay-TV subscribers may be a preview of what is to come, particularly in the context of the proposed Comcast/NBC Universal merger.

Herb Kohl's Message to Telecoms: Break it Up

Stevie Converse — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:03:20 -0400

Full article: Open Secrets
Lindsay Renick Mayer
Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) sent a letter to the Department of Justice and FCC, asking them to investigate whether big wireless companies are engaged in anti-competitive practices. Unlike many other lawmakers, Kohl, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee, does not rely on telecoms to fill his campaign coffers.

AT&T Says iPhone Exclusivity Is Good for Everyone. Really?

Stevie Converse — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:16:22 -0400

Full article: Blorge
Michael W. Jones
With the Senate conducting hearings on anti-competitive behavior in the cellular industry, AT&T has decided to open their individual defense with an e-mail from one of their attorneys to Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), claiming that the company's exclusive deal with Apple to sell the iPhone improves competition.

Key Senator Backs Telecom Probe

Stevie Converse — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:22:17 -0400

Full article: Washington Post
Cecilia Kang
Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) demanded a federal probe of alleged anti-competitive practices in the wireless industry, escalating recent congressional concern that too much power is concentrating in the hands of a few carriers. Kohl called for an investigation and for action on several regulatory proposals that could give smaller carriers and software firms a better shot at competing.

Key Antitrust Lawmaker Wants Cell Phone Sector Scrutiny

Stevie Converse — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:15:10 -0400

Full article: Wall Street Journal
Fawn Johnson
The chairman of a Senate antitrust panel is asking the Justice Department and the FCC to embark on a wide-ranging antitrust inquiry into the cell phone industry. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) sent letters to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and DOJ Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney, saying four wireless carriers control over 90 percent of the cell phone market.

Senate Antitrust Panel Unveils Agenda

Stevie Converse — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:58:46 -0400

Full article: National Journal
The Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee announced its agenda for the 111th Congress. Among the list of issues: sharp increases fro text messages, consolidation of Internet and advertising, Net Neutrality and access to content, media consolidation and rising cable TV rates.

Congress Questions High Cost of Texting

Stevie Converse — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:04:15 -0400

Full article: CNet
Stephanie Condon
The price of text messaging has doubled industry-wide in the last three years, and Congress wants to know why. Sen. Herb Kohl, chair of the Antitrust Subcommittee in the Senate Judiciary Committee, sent a letter to the four major wireless carriers, asking them to explain the dramatic price increases.