Dems urge FCC to approve new box rules

Democratic lawmakers made a final push for a Federal Communications Commission proposal to open up the market for television set-top boxes on Wednesday.

“Fortunately, the FCC is taking a strong step to finally allow consumer choice in the set-top box market by creating rules that would allow Americans the ability to use the set-top box of their choice, promoting competition and innovation,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in a statement.

{mosads}“At this Thursday’s FCC Commission meeting I urge the Commissioners to pass Chairman Wheeler’s proposal and unlock the box.”

He was joined by Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), who also said the commission should adopt rules to give customers more ways to watch live television.

“Can you imagine how much easier that would be than the outdated way we’re doing things now?” said Franken on his Facebook page. “The FCC is voting on the proposal tomorrow, and I really hope they’ll side with consumers and vote to unlock the box.”

Their vocal support comes a day before the FCC is scheduled to vote on the proposal. Under the proposed rules, pay-television companies like Comcast and DirecTV would have to create applications through which customers could watch live video on devices like a smart television.

But the industry has rallied its congressional allies around a part of the proposal that would give the FCC oversight of the licenses between providers and device manufacturers. Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel has also said she doesn’t think the commission has the authority to pursue the oversight role as it has been written, so it is likely that FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will have to make changes in order to earn her vote.