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The Commission has approved five applications from America Online/Time Warner, Inc. (AOLTW) requesting approval of a non-affiliated Internet Service Provider (ISP) and alternative cable broadband service agreements. The applications were made pursuant to Paragraph II.A.2 of the decision and order finalized by the Commission on April 17, 2001 concerning AOL's acquisition of Time Warner, Inc. Through this action, the FTC has approved the following ISP and alternative cable broadband service agreements: 1) West Central Ohio LLC (the Columbus, Cincinnati, and Western and Northeast Ohio divisions); 2) LocalNet Corp. (the Albany, Binghamton, Liberty, Rochester, and Syracuse, New York divisions); 3) Global Systems, Inc. (the Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Wilmington, North Carolina divisions, as well as the South Carolina division); 4) Big Net Holdings, Inc. (all Time Warner cable divisions); and 5) Digital Communications Networks, Inc. (the Los Angeles, California division).

The Commission vote to approve the applications was 4-0, with Chairman Timothy J. Muris not participating. (FTC File No. 001-0105; Docket No. C-3989; staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2526;  see press releases dated November 9, 2000; December 14, 2000; February 26, 2001; April 18, 2001; September 28, 2001; October 4, 2001; October 19, 2001; October 30; November 13, 2001; November 20, 2001; December 4, 2001, December 7, 2001, December 21, 2001, and December 27, 2001.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC's Web site at and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.