Verizon, Cable Ops Say They'll MakeIt Easier To Search Documents

WASHINGTON — Verizon Wireless and the SpectrumCo cable operators
trying to sell it beachfront wireless spectrum say they will go the
extra mile to make documents available to critics of the deal.

Not that they think they have to.

According to Federal Communications Commission records, in
two phone conversations between Verizon Wireless and Comcast
execs and the chief of the FCC’s wireless bureau and general counsel,
the agency was again told that the deal partners have complied
with all formatting specifications and obligations to make documents
available.

But signatories to protective orders — those cleared to view the
sensitive documents — have had trouble viewing the documents
due to computer and other problems. So Verizon Wireless and the
SpectrumCo. partners said they will go the extra mile, as it were, by
taking the following steps:

• Making their documents available in a searchable format at the
Washington offices of their respective outside counsels.

• Providing a searchable, sortable electronic index that will allow
reviewing parties to find documents responsive to particular requests.

• Providing electronic (PDF) versions of the documents.
Joining Verizon and Comcast in making those pledges were Time
Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks.

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.