Telecom Mergers Need Global Context, Says FTC Nominee

[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The Senate Commerce Committee questioned William Kovacic and J. Thomas Rosch, two nominees for seats on the Federal Trade Commission. Kovacic said that the FTC needed to look at the global market when gauging the competition for merging companies. In evaluating U.S. firms or transactions involving them, he said, the arena is global. He said he thought there was already a trend in agency staffers asking what the correct context for a merger should be, and that he saw that trend continuing. Rosch said his "unifying principle" of regulating would be "visibility." He said he admires the highway patrol model. "When they are on my tail, I am more cautious," he said. Rosch said the commission needs to staff up, and to build better bench strength when it goes to trial against some of the best lawyers in the country. Both men are former FTC staffers back for more fun; Senate approval seems likely.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6283704?display=Breaking+News...
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