Today, Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued a statement against the Federal Communications Commission’s set-top box proposal designed to open up the set-top box market for consumers.
The following can be attributed to Gene Kimmelman, President and CEO of Public Knowledge:
“Congressman Pallone’s skepticism about the FCC’s revised set-top box proposal could unfortunately cost consumers tens of billions of dollars in inflated cable charges. Each cable household is currently getting ripped off by more than $20 a month in bogus set-top box fees. We believe consumers will get the benefit of lower prices, more choices, and more innovation with the FCC’s plan and urge Congressman Pallone to re-evaluate his stance on this important consumer pocketbook issue.”
Please view our copyright fact sheet, FCC Regulation of MVPDS Does Not Amount to A Compulsory Content License, for more information debunking cable’s licensing misinformation. Proposal delays have already cost consumers $5.9 billion dollars in set-top box rental fees — and counting.
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.