Maybe it's me, but when I first heard the rumor of T-Mobile and Comcast getting together I had to look sideways and wonder how short the memories are of the reporters and editors who were quick to toss Comcast into the ring. Today, we're seeing Comcast do what they have to do. Stand down and stay away.
And the why is Verizon and the sale of spectrum back in 2011, and with it, some rights and responsibilities tied to the sale that they and the other cable operators all agreed to as CNN's Money reported back in 2011.
Beyond the cash infusion, the deal makes long-term sense for the cable companies. As part of the deal, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House can become wholesale providers using Verizon's network. That means they can bundle wireless service with their "triple play" cable, Internet and land-line phone options.
But what this also likely means is there are some non-competition clauses in the deal also which would cost Comcast additional cash to get out of as well as the FCC, DOJ and SEC matters all relating to competition.
Comcast stepping back was the right move, and the only move. But I have to wonder why no one asked the question how buying T-Mobile would affect the 2011 deal with Verizon and all the less public aspects of that which keeps things in check between the two companies who at best don't really like each other, but who know they need one another on a variety of levels.
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