The FCC last week launched an effort to insure that TV viewers can buy a set-top box from someone other than a cable company. (Federal Communications Commission)(Brief Article)

Broadcasting & Cable, February, 1997

The FCC last week launched an effort to insure that TV viewers can buy e set-top box from someone other than a cable company, The rulemaking, mandated by the 1996 Telecommunications Act, carries a tentative conclusion that consumers should have the right to buy equipment from a retailer and then hook up the gear to a video distributor's system.

The proposal also expressed a desire to minimize government standard setting. Comments on the proposal are due May 16.