The following statement is attributed to Gigi B. Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge:
“We are pleased that the Commission is taking a look at the importance of video set-top boxes under the National Broadband plan. This is an issue that I raised in September at a Commission workshop, on the importance of Internet video. The testimony is here.
“Public Knowledge has been in the forefront of fighting for open devices, not only in the broadband plan, but in objecting to waivers from cable companies as they try to restrict the functions of set-top boxes for consumers.
“As the Commission proceeds to examine an open, consumer-friendly set-top box policy, it would be very unfortunate if, in another proceeding, the Commission bowed to the wishes of big media companies in allowing them to shut off some of the output capabilities of consumer TVs and other devices.”
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.