WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX), and all Republican members of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, today sent a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai requesting that he close the docket on the set-top box proceeding.
In their letter to Chairman Pai, members of the subcommittee cite three reasons as to why the docket should close, stating, “First, on a procedural note, the Commission should engage in the healthy practice of closing dockets that are no longer under active debate and consideration. Closing dockets can provide industry and consumers with a clear understanding of the FCC’s assessment and plan of action. … Second, the FCC’s proposal remains an unnecessary regulatory threat to the content creation and distribution industries. …Finally, this docket should be closed to give video programming distributors a clear sign that they can bring technological advances to set-top boxes and video delivery without fear that the Commission overturn them by regulation."
The members conclude, “We believe that the best way to foster real choice in video programming delivery and bring consumers the services they want is to permit these innovations to flourish in all parts of the video ecosystem, not through a top-down Federal mandate. Accordingly, we urge you to close this proceeding and permit this industry to innovate and serve consumers free from restrictions of a government-chosen platform."
See Also
* Letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Regarding Set-Top Box Proceeding
