Comcast ordered to market standalone internet service

Comcast Corp. has reached a settlement with federal regulators under which it will pay the government $800,000 and offer a broadband Internet access option to customers who don't subscribe to the cable company's video cable services. The company agreed with this condition when it acquired control of NBCUniversal.

However, Comcast was not adequately marketing its stand-alone broadband services as required in the FCC merger conditions, the FCC said. The FCC's Enforcement Bureau, in a consent decree announced Wednesday, requires Comcast to continue to offer its Performance Starter service until Feb. 21, 2015, and make the $800,000 payment to the U.S. Treasury, the FCC said in a press release.

"Today's action demonstrates that compliance with Commission orders is not optional," says FCC chairman Julius Genachowski. "The remedies announced today will benefit consumers and foster competition, including from online video and satellite providers, by ensuring that standalone broadband is truly available in Comcast's service areas. I am pleased we were able to resolve this issue."

Read more -here-