On Friday the U.S. Senate confirmed telecommunications lawyer Robert McDowell to fill the remaining Republican seat on the Federal Communications Commission, whic will break the 2-2 deadlock at the agency. The seat he's filling will expire in 2009.
The FCC, which is made up of five members regulates the telecommunications and media industries, and with the confirmation of McDowell, will be able to go forth with a review that could ease the restrictions of media ownership.
Reuters reports:
"The FCC has several major transactions pending, including the sale of bankrupt cable company Adelphia Communications Corp. to bigger rivals Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Inc.
"The commissioners must also decide on the proposed purchase of the No. 3 local telephone company BellSouth Corp. by AT&T, the No. 1 U.S. telephone carrier.
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