Cramer: Revised Fcc Rules Show Concerns By Rural Video Providers Heard

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer commended the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for listening to the concerns of small video operators in revised rules it published today for set-top boxes.

In May, Cramer led a bipartisan group with 60 other Members of Congress in objecting to the proposed regulations, which mandated cable and satellite television providers share their raw video programming with third-party set-top box competitors.

The letter sent on May 5 to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler objected to the additional burden these new regulations would impose on small pay TV providers. Specifically, the letter highlighted their concerns over the economic hardship this regulation would impose on small businesses and their consumers.

In response to Cramer's letter, the revised rules announced today exempt video operators with fewer than 400,000 subscribers from complying with the rules. At the same time, companies with between 400,000 and 1 million subscribers will receive a four-year phase-in.

These proposed rules will be voted by the FCC on Sept. 29.

"While I remain troubled by several aspects of the FCC's revised rules, I am pleased the FCC listened to the concerns of small pay TV providers," said Cramer. "If applied to small video operators, the rules would have provided a great economic hardship on small businesses and their consumers. Cable providers in North Dakota are already seeking new and innovative technologies for their customers and don't need more unwieldy regulations from the government."

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