Dish Urges FCC To Deny Comcast-Time Warner Cable Merger

(RTTNews) - Dish Network Corp. (DISH) has urged the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to reject Comcast Corp.'s (CMCSA) proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC), according to a filing with the commission Wednesday.

"The pending Comcast/Time Warner Cable merger presents serious competitive concerns for the broadband and video marketplaces and therefore should be denied. There do not appear to be any conditions that would remedy the harms that would result from the merger," Jeffrey Blum, Sish's Senior Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, wrote in the filing.

Dish also said that the recently announced AT&T Inc. (T)-DIRECTV (DTV) deal presents competitive concerns.

Additionally, Dish said it plans to take part in the Commission's upcoming sale of low-frequency airwaves.

"The incentive auction offers opportunities for competitive providers and new entrants to bid on and win much-needed low- band spectrum, which will facilitate the deployment of mobile broadband services," Dish said in the filing.

According to the filing, senior Dish executives, including Chairman Charlie Ergen, met with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, four commissioners and several wireless officials on Monday, July 7, and explained thier cases.

Dish Network shares closed Wednesday's regular trading ession at $65.96, up 80 cents or 1.23%.