Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 4572, the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA), which included a provision authored by Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH), Vice Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and Congressman Gene Green (D-TX) to eliminate the current set-top box integration ban. STELA’s passage will ensure more than one million satellite television subscribers do not lose access to programming at the end of this year when the current authorization is set to expire.
“Our priority in reauthorizing STELA has always been to ensure a continuity of service for satellite subscribers,” said Latta. “However, it also represents a critical step forward in modernizing our communications laws to reflect today’s dynamic and competitive communications marketplace.
“I am especially pleased that the legislation included a provision I sponsored to eliminate the integration ban. Repealing this outdated technological mandate will foster greater investment and innovation in the set-top box market, and more importantly, will help decrease the cost of video delivery to consumers.
“STELA underscores a bipartisan commitment to ensuring that our communications laws maximize the potential for investment, innovation and consumer choice, and I commend Chairmen Upton and Chairman Walden for their leadership in this effort.”
