How much do ISPs hate competition? They’ll sue the FCC to prevent it

(credit: Getty Images | eccolo74)

Two lobby groups representing small and medium-sized Internet service providers have taken the first step toward suing the Federal Communications Commission over a ruling designed to boost competition.

The groups are trying to overturn a condition imposed on Charter's purchase of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks. In exchange for approval to buy the cable companies, Charter agreed to compete against other ISPs by building new networks in cities and towns already served by high-speed Internet providers.

The American Cable Association (ACA), which represents smaller cable companies in mostly rural and suburban areas, and NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association, which represents small telcos, each filed petitions to overturn the condition with the FCC last night. This is basically a formality to demonstrate to a court that the groups have exhausted all available options before suing. Assuming the FCC rejects the petitions, the groups will likely file a lawsuit.

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