US: FCC’s Wheeler grilled at House subcommittee hearing

According to reports, the head of the Federal Communications Commission, Tom Wheeler, approached the Obama Administration to discuss the debate over net neutrality rules before the FCC announced its proposals last week.

Reports say Wheeler answered questions Tuesday during a House Communications Subcommittee hearing. The hearing commented on topics ranging from joint TV sale deals to spectrum sale plans.

Among the most poignant remarks, reports say, came when Rep. Mike Pompro (R-KA) asked Wheeler whether he had discussed the FCC’s proposals with the White House. Wheeler said that while he did, neither he nor the FCC “felt any pressure to decide any issue” based on the Administration’s comments.

Also on the talking floor was a discussion about Comcast’s proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable and AT&T’s proposed acquisition of DirecTV; Wheeler did not mention the mergers specifically but told representatives he would strongly consider the public interest and competition when reviewing deals.

Full content: Broadcasting Cable

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