Microsoft leaves group asking BellSouth limits
Seattle PI | at | by Mike
Microsoft distanced itself from a group lobbying for restrictions on AT&T Inc.'s proposed acquisition of BellSouth, saying it won't seek to influence regulators weighing the purchase.
The company, a founder of the It's Our Net Coalition, pulled its name from the member list after deciding not to weigh in on the $82 billion deal, spokeswoman Ginny Terzano said Monday. The group wants net neutrality rules to bar telephone and cable providers from charging new priority-access fees.
The 172-member coalition last week urged the Federal Communications Commission to impose "meaningful and effective net neutrality safeguards" on the BellSouth deal. The group wants the FCC to bar AT&T, the biggest U.S. phone company, from favoring some companies over others that offer the same type of Web content or services, depending on how much they pay.