The FCC announced that at its open meeting this week it will consider the set-top box order, which would modernize rules to allow consumers to use their preferred device to access multichannel video programming, instead of having to lease it from cable or satellite providers. The meeting will take place Thursday, September 29, at 10:30 a.m. at FCC headquarters.

In related news, T-Mobile on September 22, filed comments in support of the FCC's proposal to bring more choice and competition to the set-top box market. INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering said that "it's great to see T-Mobile - the Uncarrier - supporting 'Unlock the Box.' T-Mobile is a competition and disruption success story, and the cable set-top box is long overdue for both. With open standards and integrated search, Tom Wheeler and the FCC's set-top box proposal has the potential to revolutionize your television, putting more power, choice and control in consumers hands. Unlocking the box will bring more innovation that will have consumers saying goodbye to boxes and multiple remote controls, and hello to a smart phone that controls a smarter TV."

Pickering also was quoted in a recent New York Times article on the set-top box debate.

To learn more about the key issues related to the set-top box order, watch this new video from the Consumer Video Choice Coalition.

Source: Consumer Video Choice Coalition member Public Knowledge

Make Your INCOMPAS Show Hotel Reservations by October 2

If you want to take advantage of the special INCOMPAS Show hotel rate and ensure you have a room right near all the action at the Gaylord Texan, you'll need to make reservations no later than Sunday, October 2. These discounted rates are available only to conference attendees, who will get a link to the hotel reservation site in their registration confirmation email.

Details on accommodations and transportation to and from the Gaylord Texan, visit The INCOMPAS Show website.

Register today to attend The INCOMPAS Show (October 23-25 in Dallas) and you will have access to multiple daily networking events, educational sessions and the trade show. Check out the full schedule on The INCOMPAS Show website and start planning today.

FCC Expected to Address BDS Reform at October Open Meeting

Business data service reform is expected to be on the FCC's October 27 open meeting agenda. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will release the tentative agenda on October 6.

Last week at the CCA 2016 Convention, Chairman Wheeler and Commissioner Mignon Clyburn both included statements of support for BDS reform. In his remarks, Chairman Wheeler said "before the end of this year, I will present the Commission with a reform proposal that will tackle this issue and encourage innovation and investment in what we now call Business Data Services, while ensuring that lack of competition in some places cannot be used to hold back wireless coverage."

Additionally, Commissioner Clyburn said "backhaul is a significant part of wireless providers' bottom line, and I have heard numbers as high as 30 percent of operating expenditures devoted to backhaul by mobile providers. In too many areas, the incumbent LEC is the only provider offering backhaul. That can mean gross market power, inflated prices and bad deal terms. We are working to fix that, so stay tuned."

Member Profile: TelePacific

Headquartered in Los Angeles, TelePacific Communications is a premier integrated managed services provider delivering guaranteed comprehensive business communications solutions to 75,000 locations nationwide. Its customers range from small businesses to enterprises with hundreds of sites.

Visit the INCOMPAS website to learn more about TelePacific.

For more information on submitting a member profile, or updating an existing one, email Natalie DeHart or call 202-296-6650.