Cable Didn't Keep Promise on Set-Tops, Says Feld
Cable operators didn’t keep their promises on the set-top box regime once the threat of regulation was removed and won’t do so on net neutrality, Public Knowledge Senior Vice President Harold Feld blogged Wednesday, as a net neutrality protest occurred…
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(see 1707120017). “The cable industry has now ditched its #ditchthebox plan,” he said. Though some companies offer apps on third-party boxes, they charge access fees, Feld said. “Once the regulatory pressure came off, the cable industry suddenly was no longer honestly, sincerely and totally committed to getting rid of the set-top box, despite their honest, sincere and total commitment to doing so,” he said. “Their disgust with set-top boxes and desire to get out of the set-top box business ended when the incredibly credulous Chairman [Ajit] Pai made it clear enforceable regulation was off the table.” NCTA and the FCC both declined comment.