PITTSBURGH, June 30, 2009 – Following is the American Cable Association’s statement by President and CEO Matthew M. Polka regarding Public Knowledge, Free Press, Media Access Project, New America Foundation, Open Technology Institute, and U.S. PIRG’s Petition for Reconsiderations of the Memorandum and Order granting a waiver to Evolution Broadband, LLC for two set-top box models on the grounds that these boxes met the “low-cost limited capability standard” set forth in its previous decision:
“The Evolution Broadband waiver adopted under acting-Chairman Copps was pro-consumer in every respect. Reversing it now would force consumers to use more expensive set-top boxes they don’t need and divert the scarce capital of small cable providers away from the Obama Administration’s mission of making broadband as fast and widespread as economically feasible,” ACA President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said.
“The price tag for overturning the FCC’s very thoughtful ruling by the Commission would mean that small and medium-sized operators would have to purchase set-top boxes that would cost hundreds of dollars more per-unit than the expected price of the Evolution boxes. These costs would inevitably be passed along to the consumer.
“Before the FCC granted Evolution’s waiver for a limited functionality set-top box, independent cable operators were deploying set-top boxes with CableCARDs to their customers. Despite the concerns of certain public interest groups, small and medium-sized operators will continue to make CableCard equipment available.”
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About the American Cable Association
Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing more than 900 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for more than 7 million cable subscribers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA’s members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit https://acaconnects.org/