Ten senators ask FCC to delay box plan

A bipartisan group of 10 Sens asked the Federal Communications Commission in a letter to delay a plan to open up the market for television set-top boxes until its effect on small providers can be studied. The letter adds to a list of upper chamber lawmakers who have expressed concerns about the plan. “While we appreciate your commitment to protecting consumers, we urge you to delay the video navigation device proceedings until the FCC sufficiently studies the specific costs and impacts of the proposal on rural consumers and small providers,” said the lawmakers. “Small providers will not be able to afford the costs that could be associated with building a new architecture to comply with the proposed rule.”

The letter was dated May 26 and released by the American Cable Association, a lobbying group for small cable providers. The signatories include both Republican and Democratic Sens, including Sens Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA). Several are from states with large rural populations. They join Senate colleagues who have already criticized the proposal put forth by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler.