AT&T, Verizon Lobby Asks for Limits in Charter Cable Merger

USTelecom, a trade group representing AT&T, Verizon Communications and other companies, asked the Federal Communications Commission to limit Charter Communications’ coordination with other cable companies if it’s allowed to buy Time Warner Cable. USTelecom also called for restrictions on Charter’s largest shareholder, John Malone.

USTelecom said Malone, a billionaire with interests in Discovery Communications and the Starz movie provider, should be prevented from influencing Charter. Malone-affiliated companies must make programs available to competitors on the same terms they grant Charter, US Telecom said. Malone’s sprawling interests and potential role already have attracted questions from the FCC.