Public benefits from satcast merger
It is troubling to read in your paper about federal regulatory opposition to the EchoStar/DirecTV satellite merger ("Trustbusters Flips the Birds," Oct. 11). That move will leave the federal government (our tax dollars) to pick up the tab for linking up rural America to the high-speed Internet.
With the rapid expansion of technology, the government is trying to keep pace in making the latest developments available in all parts of the country. Unfortunately, due to burdensome regulations and other obstacles, the government's methods have proved to be ineffective and costly.
In fiscal 2002, Congress appropriated $700.5 million for the Education Technology Block Grant program, $32.5 million for the Department of Education's Community Technology Centers Program, and $15 million for the Department of Commerce's Technology Opportunities Program. The merger would help eliminate government interference in this emerging market place.
With the near collapse of the competitive telecom industry, the regional Bell companies now control 86% of the DSL broadband market and prices are rising as competitive options fall. The combined EchoStar/DirecTV entity would insure that no consumer would be a captive customer of the Bell giants, even in areas not served by cable TV.
This is clearly a merger that would actively serve the public interest.
President
Citizens Against Government Waste
