Legislative & Regulatory Issues
Content in this section is organized by the Issue topics listed below. To browse or search for a particular issue, select the type name from the list below or from the menu at left.
A La Carte
Several independent and industry analyses have been consistent in their conclusions that government-mandated pay-per-channel regulation would be likely to hurt consumers by increasing prices, decreasing choice and reducing diversity in programming.
Broadband Internet Access
Cable is leading the way in bringing broadband to nearly every American.
Broadband Stimulus
The cable industry supports the federal government’s efforts expand broadband access and spur adoption and has encouraged targeted programs that can make a difference in America’s broadband gap.
Cable Ownership Regulations
Ownership Restrictions Issue Brief
Cable's Value
In a highly competitive multichannel video marketplace, consumers are enjoying better value as a result of the additional choices, higher quality programming and more advanced technology that’s available.
Digital Cable Ready Equipment / CableCARDs
A CableCARD is a device that plugs into a slot built into a digital television or other device, allowing for digital cable services without a set-top box. The CableCARD provides the same security/descrambling function as cable’s set-top boxes but can be plugged into “cable ready” digital devices (like digital TVs).
Digital Phone / Cable Telephony
Most cable companies have launched Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service, or digital phone service, providing consumers a true alternative to standard telephone service.
DTV Transition
To prepare for the nation’s broadcast TV stations' switch to an all digital system, the U.S. cable industry launched an extensive consumer education campaign – including TV advertising valued at $250 million – to alert cable and non-cable viewers about the change.
Multicasting / Multicast Must Carry
With the transition to all-digital broadcast TV now taking place, all cable customers, including those who watch cable on analog TV sets, can rest assured that they will be able to view commercial broadcast signals after the transition.
Network Management
Some groups are pushing Congress to consider legislation that could freeze investment and innovation of the Internet. That legislation is referred to as “network neutrality.” But without evidence of a problem, cable opposes regulation of the Internet.
Online Safety
To help educate consumers and provide resources designed to ensure that children enjoy a safe and fulfilling Internet experience, NCTA has launched comprehensive Internet safety and media literacy initiative, PointSmart.ClickSafe.
Program Access
Tax Parity for Video Providers
In 44 states and the District of Columbia, cable customers pay more in state and local taxes and fees than do subscribers to cable’s greatest competitor, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) service. To erase this inequity, some states have tried to ensure that all multichannel video providers operate on a level playing field.
tru2way
Tru2way is a series of technical specifications that allow application developers and content providers to create and deploy interactive services for numerous devices. Tru2way provides a national distribution footprint for cable operators to deliver interactive services in nearly every U.S. market.
TV Parental Controls
As the entire media industry has been challenged to provide parents ways to screen children from inappropriate content, the cable industry has built upon its longstanding commitment to address parents' concerns about what they and their children see on television.
Universal Service
The cable industry has long supported the goals and policies of universal service. NCTA supports clarifying the legal obligation for providers of IP-enabled telephony services to pay into the universal service fund (USF).
Video Competition
Today, the video market is fully competitive and the array of choices continues to grow. More than 32 million consumers now subscribe to cable’s competitor as multiple video providers – including Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), alternative broadband providers like RCN and the nation’s two largest telephone companies – vie for customer loyalty, each trying to provide unique new products. As a result of this competition, a wide new variety of services – both video and non-video – are available to consumers from multiple providers.
White Spaces
A new proposal that could hold promise for consumers calls for creating devices that could operate in the spectrum that exists between broadcast TV channels, an area referred to as “white spaces.”