FCC Requests Information From ISPs, Web Companies for Charter/TWC/BHN Review

The FCC Media Bureau requested information from several ISPs and Internet companies in connection with its review of Charter Communications' planned buys of Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable, according to letters posted Friday on the FCC transaction website. The companies receiving information requests include Akamai, AT&T/DirecTV, CenturyLink, Cogent, Dish Network, Netflix and Verizon -- many of the same companies that received information requests from the bureau during the Comcast/TWC and AT&T/DirecTV reviews. The information requested varied from company to company. AT&T was asked about planned improvements to its network, peering agreements and data caps, while Netflix was asked about the effect of ISP data caps on its business, and how degradation of streaming quality affects subscribership. Dish was asked about subscriber data and what causes subscribers to disconnect from the service. Responses to the requests are due Oct. 23.