The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has delayed the historic vote that could substantially disrupt the cable set-top box.
Last January the FFC said it planned to “open up” US cable by setting the STB and device market free. The proposal met with fierce lobbying against it from cable and satellite platforms.
Under the original proposal, a standard setting body would lay out technical specifications for manufacturers, so any third-party manufacturer would be able to sell cable devices to the end consumer. Meanwhile, the FCC adjusted the proposal.
The revised proposal requires cable companies to develop apps for all major platforms including Android, iOS, Windows and Roku, and offer access to all of their programming — for both on-demand and live. Moreover, cable providers also have to ensure open access to their catalogues of content for search purposes.
The Commission said the aim is to stop consumers having to pay hundreds of dollars to rent STBs from their providers, with no choice of platform to view their subscriptions.