Senators want FCC to investigate high Internet, cable prices

A group of senators including Sens Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are asking the Federal Communications Commission to look into pricing for Internet service around the country. "Many Americans have very few, if any, options when it comes to choosing their local cable and Internet providers. And, as the telecommunications industry becomes increasingly concentrated, this lack of choice has resulted in huge price increases and often poor service for consumers,” wrote Sens Sanders and Warren as well as Sens Al Franken (D-MN) and Ed Markey (D-MA). Specifically, they mentioned the proposed merger of Charter Communications and Time Warner Cable, which they said would “only increase concentration in the cable and broadband markets.”

The Senators asked FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to provide them with information about the average cost of broadband by state and provider, as well as for urban and rural customers. “The Commission’s collection of pricing information is critical to upholding its mission to protect consumers, and promote competition, and deploy broadband across America,” they said.