FCC takes aim at cable box rental fees

[MrPogi]

The Federal Communications Commission hopes to save you money, cutting ties to those pricey devices by allowing consumers to purchase their own.

“Innovation is the result of competition,” says FCC Chair Tom Wheeler.
“You deserve a break on your cable bill and a choice,” that’s the message from Wheeler on Thursday, pushing for more cable competition.
The FCC estimates that you pay an average of $231 per year to rent a cable box.
“That’s a lot,” says Brittany Cover.
The commission is moving forward on a plan to help bring down that cost.

Read more: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/consumer/fcc-takes-aim-at-fees-to-rent-cable-boxes/49299231

 

[Fringe Reception]

The Federal Communications Commission hopes to save you money ... The FCC estimates that you pay an average of $231 per year to rent a cable box ... The commission is moving forward on a plan to help bring down that cost.

Who gives the FCC or any other Government agency the power to take away the methods PRIVATE businesses make money? Cable Companies have lost their monopoly and are no longer 'the only way' to receive TV reception. If cable customers do not like their rental policies they can switch to Satellite TV, online 'streaming TV' or FREE over-the-air-TV reception.

Certainly 40 years ago, 30 or even 10 years back this may have been a good idea to consider but these days, the Feds have no business interfering. If cable wants to commit suicide because of their rental policies, I couldn't care less.

Jim

 

[MrPogi]

Jim, consider that just about every pay TV service (cable, satellite, or phone companies) requires consumers to rent some sort of proprietary box for each TV set. Rental of these boxes has become a big profit center for these corporations. While there are other options besides cable for TV for some, cable providers are the only choice for most users of high speed internet - and they take advantage of that internet monopoly by offering lower prices to those who "bundle". I know several people who take cable TV and cable phone just to get a good price for internet. The government has been in the business of protecting consumers for many years, but has done a very poor job of it recently (Witness the lack of oversight that brought about "The Great Recession")

This is the same FCC that is also forcing broadcast TV to surrender their channel allocations so those OUR public airwaves can be sold to private corporations - a very anti-consumer move.