FCC Seeks More Info From AT&T on DirecTV Deal

The FCC has asked AT&T for even more information on its proposed merger with DirecTV, suggesting that some of the earlier information did not quite compute and asking for clarifications if they were inaccurate.

In a follow-up to a Sept. 9 request for data, the FCC sent a request Monday asking for answers to some supplemental questions by Dec. 22.

For example, the FCC says that AT&T's population density calculations do not correlate "appropriately" for one-square-mile increments, as requested.

It also seeks further info on broadband speed calculations, expected data rates, cell sites and other broadband-related questions. There are also follow-up questions about churn rates and pricing.

The FCC is currently vetting the proposed deal, but likely won't complete its review until at least the second quarter of 2015.

Such follow-up questions are not unusual given the scope of information the FCC usually requests from merging parties.

“These are routine requests," an AT&T spokesman said. "We are collecting the data requested and will respond shortly.”

John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.