AOL, Time Warner pledge consumer choices

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Tuesday, Feb. 29, 2000 | 11:03 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- America Online Inc. and Time Warner Inc. today pledged to give consumers a choice of Internet providers by opening their cable TV lines after their planned merger.

The two communications giants announced an agreement to offer consumers a choice of several Internet service providers, including AOL, on Time Warner's cable TV systems. They called it a first step in a policy of open access in their cable systems.

The companies' move may ease the concerns of federal regulators, Internet rivals and consumer groups regarding the $135 billion merger, which would combine online pioneer AOL with the world's largest media and entertainment conglomerate.