“No basis in fact…will confuse and frustrate subscribers…”
PITTSBURGH, April 15, 2016 – American Cable Association President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s support for FCC Chairman Wheeler’s proposal to mandate that multichannel video programming distributors disassemble their networks so that third-party vendors can manufacture and sell set-top boxes:
“Regulations should be based on facts about the market and precise demonstrations of substantial and enduring harm to the public interest. Unfortunately, in proposing new set-top box mandates, the FCC met none of these benchmarks, nor does the Administration in its message. As the American Cable Association will show in comments submitted on April 22, the FCC’s proposal has no basis in fact and will confuse and frustrate subscribers while imposing enormous costs on smaller providers, infringing on their programming agreements and harming network security.
“Finally, it is disappointing that the Administration would pass judgment without letting the independent agency process work and without considering the views of all interested parties, including small cable operators.”
About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing nearly 750 smaller and medium-sized, independent cable companies who provide broadband services for nearly 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/