mr. stevenson, mr. then to hit the top two points. 50 million more rural americans will have internet service that do not have high-speed internet tonight. i think up to 70 million homes out of 115 million will have a much better bundle offer to compete with cable companies. >> as that plays itself out, what the model will show and firmly believe is there will be downward pricing pressure in the industry as we become a more viable competitor, program costs climb at a lower rate. we think it is beneficial to consumers from a pricing standpoint. we think also more broadband is very good for the over-the-top content distribution models. more broadband will help excel -- accelerate. think they will not appreciate in three years? things they will not appreciate in three years. >> the rising price. i think number two, concerned that they would have is the increasing pressures -- decreasing cap petition that smaller providers can provide as a result of the increasing consolidation in the marketplace, not only

mr. stevenson and mr. white are very polished about talking about the benefits that will come to this deal, the commitments that they're willing to make. we haven't heard them talk about the concerns that they're -- that the programming, particularly the regional sportsnet works that are owned by directv are not subject to any arbitration conditions and that they will have an incentive ability to increase the prices for that programming for smaller cable operators. if they're going to be making public interest commitments, it would be nice to hear them talk about a commitment to address that problem as well. >> thank you. the gentleman's distinguished ranking member time has expired. >> thank you. >> the chair recognizes himself for his questions. i want to go back to something that's just off a little bit of my other questions. statements to mr. white. i want it to come from my friend in georgia. i want to make it clear, directv will not be forced to unionize, correct? forced to unionize? >> no, sir. we l

mr. stevenson, mr. white and then i'll ask mr. bergmayer, mr. lieberman. i'll ask you. two things you think my constituents will appreciate about this merger in three years' time. >> 15 million more rural americans will have internet service that don't have high speed internet today and i think up to 70 million homes in america out of 115 million will have a much better bundle offer to compete with the cable companies. >> mr. stephenson. >> as that plays out. what the econometric model will show, we believe, there will be downward pricing pressure in this industry as we become a viable competitor, as our programming costs begin to climb at a lower rate, we think is beneficial to consumers from a pricing standpoint. we think also more broadband is very, very good for the over the top content distribution models so more broadband will help accelerate the over the top models and bring more choice for customers on content. >> mr. lieberman, maybe the top two things they will not appreciate in three years? >> yes. i think that the rising prices that they will see, that their

mr. stevenson. >> thank you mr. speaker. on sunday 17-year-old goodship tragically drowned. his death was left his family, friends and local community in shock. as this week is drowning prevention week, what can the prime minister do to raise awareness of the dangers of open water and improve water safety particularly during such a warm summer that we're having at the moment? >> my heart goes out to his -- to the family that he mentioned. he is absolutely right. for anyone to lose a son in such a tragic way as this is absolutely heart breaking. i think we do need to spread better information about the dangers of swimming in open water. i think we need to do more to teach swimming in schools and teach life-saving skills. i also think the heroism we're bringing forward for people who want to do good and rescue people will help in a small way as well. >> hazel blairs. >> mr. speaker, hundreds of young british men and some women are now fighting in syria and now with isis in iraq. some of them will come back to the united kingdom, trained, radicalized and ready to attack. our pr

mr. stevenson, i noticed you taking some notes during the testimony. are there one or two points you want to make in response to the criticisms of the merger? >> it was not a criticism of the merger, he was citing a blogger that said we had not fulfilled merger conditions and i would like to make sure that the committee hears that that blogger was patently inaccurate, the data was false, we totally complied with every single condition imposed in that merger. in fact, what the merger required was that we provide 100% of broadband coverage, 85% of fixed broadband services. at that time -- >> we have a limited amount of time. i get your response. let me go onto my main -- >> we have all been blogged before. >> we understand that. let me go in to my main point. this is all about what happens to the consumer. let me talk about my consumers in my district, in my hometown of roanoke number virginia, the bundle package that you refer to right now is available for verizon customers with directv. i and others can get that package that you refer to. what will hap

stevenson. >> public comment? >> opportunity for members of the public to address the board. mr. winer. that's the only person who has turned in a speaker card. >> winer. >> herbert winer. one thing that is interesting about this report and i grab the density with the factor in this evaluation but we have the second highest density to new york city and i would have liked to see new york city in this and also chicago who has a good transportation system which i'll enjoy this weekend. also has a good system. those are major cities that should be compared. now, another factor regarding our density and this is very important. the bus runs that existed 40 years ago reflected a density of the city, but the transit effectiveness projects does is removes it from the neighborhoods and thins out and does not reflect the density of the neighborhoods. this is a major problem and i think what we have to do is we have to address this. so these are the aspects of the report that i'm noting and i hope the board notes it too. thank you. >> thank you, certificate. anyone else like to address the board. >