House Lawmakers Hail End of Integration Ban

Reps. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, and Gene Green, D-Texas, are happy the set-top box integration ban is gone as of Friday (see 1512020050), they said in a joint blog post for The Hill that day. The lawmakers had introduced such a sunset measure last Congress and it was ultimately included in the satellite TV reauthorization law. “While its intention at the time may have been good, the integration ban has been a flop, even in the FCC’s judgment,” they said. “Most consumers chose to continue leasing set-top boxes from cable operators which they can return or upgrade when they wish.” They lauded the bipartisan work in ending the ban in the last Congress. “Well said,” tweeted NCTA Chairman Michael Powell of the piece. NCTA had lobbied heavily for ending the ban.