The
FCC proposal to deregulate cable and satellite television
set-top boxes is facing heavy headwinds as powerful interests line
up in opposition. The current proposal is itself a compromise to
its original proposal to require providers to give access to their
information streams to other set-top box makers. In response to
powerful opposition, the proposal was modified to require content
to be delivered through apps instead, which the FCC says will give
providers end-to-end control over their content. The change does
not, however, seem to have mollified the proposal's
opponents.
Charter Communications, a leading cable and broadband provider,
issued a statement that the current proposed rules would force it
to charge customers a fee to rent their broadband modems. In a
blog post, the company, which identified itself as the only
major broadband provider that doesn't charge modem rental fees,
said that "deep within" the FCC proposal is a requirement
that internet
