FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler referred to the seven-year time frameof proposed broadband-related conditions on Charter Communications Inc.'s pending with and as an"innovation and competition zone," for new services to develop, Multichannel News reported April 28.

"In terms of access … there will be during this periodan open opportunity for those who are innovative and competitive to have an opportunityto bring new competition and new services," Wheeler reportedly said at apress conference.

The agency will review future deals and proposed conditionson a case-by-case basis, he added.