The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday proposed competition in the pay television set-top box market, a move that could let consumers swap costly cable industry boxes for cheaper service through devices like tablets.
FCC chairman Tom Wheeler unveiled the proposed regulation later to let customers get video services from providers like Alphabet Inc, Tivo and Apple instead of cable, satellite and other television providers like Comcast, Verizon and Dish, according to the proposal, which will be voted on Feb. 18.
"The FCC is finally on its way to fulfilling the promise to American consumers of a competitive and robust video box market," Markey said Wednesday, praising the "proposal to help ensure that consumers are not captive to bloated rental fees forever."