It’s widely anticipated that the new Republican-controlled administration will seek to roll back the FCC’s net neutrality rules. These rules require Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to treat identically all content that travels over their pipes. For example, an ISP cannot throttle the download speed of content furnished by its competitors. In his farewell speech, outgoing
Wheeler Resignation May Spell Demise of Set-Top Box Deregulation
FCC Chair Tom Wheeler has announced his resignation effective upon Donald Trump’s inauguration. The President-elect has not yet announced his choice to replace Wheeler, but it’s a safe bet that the new Republican majority on the Commission will encourage a more freewheeling regulatory climate.
This blog has followed closely Wheeler’s efforts to force cable operators
Set-Top Box Deregulation: The Gloves Come Off
The FCC proposal to deregulate cable and satellite television set-top boxes is facing heavy headwinds as powerful interests line up in opposition. The current proposal is itself a compromise to its original proposal to require providers to give access to their information streams to other set-top box makers. In response to powerful opposition, the proposal
Wheeler Set-Top Box Proposal: It’s Apps
Continuing the process that began earlier this year, FCC Chair Tom Wheeler has issued a proposal to the Commission to implement the deregulation of cable set-top boxes.
Wheeler’s proposal will require cable and satellite system operators (MSOs) to offer subscribers access to their services by means of a free app. Consumers could keep their
Set-Top Box Update: Flame Wars
The battle lines are hardening in the controversy over the FCC’s proposal to deregulate cable set-top boxes.
The US Copyright Office recently weighed in against the proposal, on the grounds that it would undermine the ability of cable multi-system operators (MSOs) to enter into stable license agreements with copyright owners. This, the Copyright Office declared,
McConnell to FCC: Hands Off My Cable Box
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has called on FCC Chair Tom Wheeler to reconsider his proposal to unlock cable and satellite set-top boxes
. McConnell cited concerns over copyright, consumer costs and the impact on cable providers and customers in rural areas.
This is a further escalation of the broad opposition to the plan from
Net Neutrality Clears Judicial Hurdle
The DC Circuit issued a decision today broadly upholding the FCC’s net neutrality rules. Those rules defined internet service providers (ISPs) as utilities, subjecting them to the same high level of regulation as landline telephone companies. The rules in question require ISPs to treat all content equally as it passes through their pipes to consumers.
Set-Top Box Deregulation: The Storm Continues
I’ve blogged previously on the push by FCC chair Tom Wheeler to compel cable and satellite provid
ers to permit consumers to use third-party set top boxes. Despite opposition from across the political spectrum, Wheeler is sticking to his guns to get the regulations passed before his tenure ends, which will likely be after the
FCC Chair Wheeler Goes All-In for Net Neutrality
As discussed in my earlier blog, net neutrality has become a hot-button issue. Today, FCC Chair Tom Wheeler went beyond even President Obama’s recommendations to submit proposed rules that would subject Internet Service Providers (including mobile ISPs) to the same level of regulation as landline telephone companies.
In an Op-Ed for Wired Magazine,