The rule, which dates back to a 1996 law passed by Congress, will require cable TV operators to use the same technology in their boxes as cable set-tops sold at retail by non-cable companies. (The rule only applies to digital cable TV boxes deployed on July 1 and beyond.)
Consequently, cable viewers will be able to plug a "CableCard" into the back of either box to receive their digital cable signals, including High-Definition. (They can get the CableCard from their cable operator.)
Federal officials say this will give consumers the choice of purchasing their cable box from a non-cable company at the store or leasing it from their cable operators.
However, like most efforts by the federal government to artificially create competition for a private industry, the CableCard initiative will fail as well.
And not only will it fail, it could lead to higher monthly bills for cable viewers.
To find out why, click here to read Part Two of this article.
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Phillip Swann is
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