Telecom Adequately Alleges Pattern of Suits By Cable Operator to Restrain Competition

Puerto Rico’s local telephone company has adequately alleged that a cable operator engaged in a pattern of lawsuits to delay the telecom’s sale of broadband video services and protect the cable company’s monopoly in violation of the Sherman Act and Puerto Rico’s antitrust statute, according to an Aug. 10 decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Telephone Co. v. San Juan Cable LLC, D.P.R., 3:11-cv-02135-GAG, 8/10/12).

Challenged Conduct.

Puerto Rico Telephone Co. (PRTC) filed an application with the Telecommunications Regulatory Board of Puerto Rico (TRB) for a franchise that would permit ...