The officials, she added, also sought information about cable operation and maintenance.

In the cable operations, the long-term economic implications are the focus of concern.

Cox paid a high price to expand its cable operations.

Times Mirror will also take $1.4 billion in cash from the cable operations before the deal is done.

He said the company expected to increase revenue from its cable operations through some type of deal, but gave no specifics.

The cable operations reported cash flow growth of 18 percent, to $567 million, up from $480 in the similar period a year earlier.

The company attributed the increase at its cable operations to the addition of 357,000 subscribers.

But the company took a $13.1 billion charge to reflect the decline in the value of the cable operation this year.

Both companies said increased profits from their cable operations contributed.

He pulled away from talks six years ago with a communications company to acquire a cable operation.