U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy on Thursday pressed large Internet providers to pledge that they will not strike deals that may help some websites load faster than others or give similar "fast lanes" to affiliated services. As regulators work on new so-called "net neutrality" rules, Leahy wrote to chiefs of AT&T Inc, Verizon Communications Inc, Time Warner Cable Inc and Charter Communications Inc.In his letters, similar to one sent to Comcast Corp on Monday, Leahy asked the leading Internet service providers (ISPs) to formally commit to no so-called "paid prioritization" deals in which content companies could pay Internet providers to ensure smooth and fast delivery of their traffic.The Federal Communications Commission has received 3.9 million comments after it proposed new web traffic rules that would prohibit ISPs from blocking content, but suggested allowing some "commercially reasonable" paid prioritization deals.Large ISPs, including Verizon, Comcast and AT&T, have been asserting that they had no plans for such paid prioritization arrangements and FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has said he would not tolerate anti-competitive or anti-consumer prioritization deals.
Charter Communications, Inc. (Charter) provides cable services in the United States, offering a range of entertainment, information and communications solutions to residential and commercial customers. Shares of CHTR traded higher by 2.77% or $4.19/share to $155.33. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $116.78 and as high as $167.30. On average, 961205 shares of CHTR exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 341555.
AT&T Inc. (AT&T), is a holding company. The Company is a provider of telecommunications services. Shares of T fell by 2.81% or $-0.9701/share to $33.53. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $31.74 and as high as $37.48. On average, 21141700 shares of T exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 38116620.
Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC) is a provider of video, high-speed data and voice services in the United States with systems located in five geographic areas: New York State, the Carolinas, Ohio, Southern California and Texas. Shares of TWC traded higher by 3.19% or $4.34/share to $140.39. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $115.62 and as high as $155.32. On average, 2026110 shares of TWC exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1682107.
Time Warner Inc. (Time Warner) is a media and entertainment company. Shares of TWX traded higher by 2.3% or $1.76/share to $78.33. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $58.22 and as high as $88.13. On average, 6579700 shares of TWX exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 3041472.
Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon) is a holding company. Shares of VZ fell by 0.38% or $-0.185/share to $48.12. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $45.45 and as high as $53.66. On average, 14263900 shares of VZ exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 7840591.
Source
