Washington: Google billionaire co-founder Larry Page today said the Internet search leader opposed a Microsoft-Yahoo deal because it would monopolise the online communications market, stifle innovation and curb competition.

But he discounted the idea that an advertising deal between Google Inc. And Yahoo Inc. one the two companies are now exploring would present any potential antitrust problems.

In a rare visit to the nation s capital, Page spoke at a forum sponsored by the New American Foundatin think tank about expanding affordable access to high-speed Internet service and opening up cellular networks to more applications, services and devices.

The territory was friendly as Google Chief Executive Eric Shmidt was recently elected chairman of think tank, which counts telecommunications and technology policy in its varied body of work. Schmidt, a board member since 1999,was not at the talk.

Page said a successful Microsoft-Yahoo deal would have closed "a lot of things that are really important ... like instant messaging."

Microsoft Corp. Had sought to buy Yahoo for USD47.5 billion as a way to counter Google Inc. s dominance in the search and advertising market, but recently broke off talks.

"Now, if you put 90 per cent of the communications all in one company ... That's really a big risk, especially one (Microsoft) that has a history of doing bad stuff," he said.

Court oversight of Microsoft s market power began in 2002 after an antitrust settlement was reached among Microsoft, the federal government and 17 states, barring the software maker from seeking deals with computer makers to exclude rival software.

Source : PTI