CEA Urges FCC To Rebuke Cable’s Delay In Establishing A Competitive Market For Set-Top Boxes
Arlington, Va., February 28, 2005 -The following statement was issued today by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deny repeated efforts by the cable industry to delay a competitive market for cable set-top boxes:
“The consumer electronics (CE) industry remains strong and united that the FCC should heed the mandate from Congress to give consumers choice in cable boxes. The cable industry’s “Hail Mary” pass picking off Microsoft is unfortunate, but symptomatic of an industry that wants to thwart consumer choice.
“Once again, cable has come forth with a creative and media-savvy way to delay meeting their responsibility to the FCC, the CE industry and consumers. The cable industry should stop playing “four corners” with this proceeding and instead apply this same level of creativity to work with the CE industry to develop a two-way agreement and meet their commitments.
“We urge the Commission to review the record, stay the course and not be duped by cable’s attempts to stall use of CableCARDs and the creation of a pro-consumer competitive market.”
About CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,000 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA’s members account for more than $121 billion in annual sales. CEA’s resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.
CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Defining Tomorrow’s Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.
