October 14, 2010: MARKEY COMMENDS FCC ACTION TO SERVE CONSUMERS IN CABLECARD PROCEEDING |
Markey is author of video navigation device provision in Telecommunications Act of 1996
WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), former Chairman and
current senior member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on
Communications, Technology and the Internet, today expressed his support
for FCC action to promote greater video competition and consumer access
to innovative navigation devices consistent with the congressional
intent of Section 629 of the Communications Act. Rep. Markey is the
author of Section 629, which he inserted in the Telecommunications Act
of 1996 along with then-Commerce Committee Chairman Tom Bliley (R-TX).
“Today’s
action by the Commission is an important step towards achieving the
goals of greater video competition and choice for consumers in the
marketplace for smart video boxes. When I authored the provision in the
1996 Telecommunications Act on video navigation devices, I wanted to
spur innovation in the marketplace for these devices and untether
consumers from reliance upon the boxes provided by their cable company.
With its action today, the FCC has brought us closer to the day when
consumers will be able to purchase smart video devices that can access
all multichannel video programming services, enabling consumers to pick
the service provider that best suits their needs and interests without
with the inconvenience of replacing their video devices. I look forward
to the Commission’s continued progress in this area,” Rep. Markey said.
In addition to resolving the CableCard issue in the
short-term, Rep. Markey has called for the Commission to initiate a
proceeding, consistent with the recommendations in the National
Broadband Plan, to make progress towards the widespread availability of
video navigation devices as envisioned by Section 629. In a letter he
sent to FCC Chairman Genachowski on October 6, 2010, Rep. Markey
expressed his view that such a proceeding should ensure that all MVPDs
install a gateway device or equivalent functionality in all new
subscriber homes and in all homes requiring replacement set-top boxes,
starting on or before Dec. 31, 2012.
A copy of the letter is available here: http://markey.house.gov/docs/letter_-_cablecard_-_ejm_to_jg_-_10-6-10.pdf
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