FCC Proposes Opening TV Set-Top Box Market to New Competition

The Federal Communications Commission may open up competition for cable and satellite TV companies, NBC News reported.

The FCC proposed regulation Wednesday to allow consumers to get services through devices like tablets instead of pay-TV boxes.

Americans spent almost $20 billion — an average of $231 a year — a year to lease pay-TV boxes, according to the FCC. Rental fees have jumped 185 percent since 1994, while the price of TVs, computers and cellphones has gone down by 90 percent.

The FCC said a competitive marketplace is required by a 1996 law. The regulation will be voted on Feb. 18. 

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