http://arstechnica.com/…

The FCC is considering a cap on cable ownership that could spell trouble for Comcast’s growth plans. News of the plan comes hard on the heels of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s push to exert regulatory control over the cable industry, a plan that has so far faltered over concerns about the data used to justify the new FCC authority. The cable ownership cap has the necessary votes, though, and it looks like Martin might bring the industry to heel after all.

According to multiple news sources, the FCC hopes to cap any single company’s control of the cable market at 30 percent. No company has currently exceeded that limit, but Comcast is pressing up against it with 27 percent and would likely be the first company to feel the effects of a new rule.

What exactly is this supposed to do? Prevent a monopoly from forming? How about withdrawing local monopoly status’ of almost all current cable companies so that they may compete if they wish to. With all the different services the cable companies provide, the number of companies involved and those who are entering… there are more than enough players to prevent any mythical monopoly from spawning.