The 1996 Telecom law forced cable companies to adopt a cablecard solution that allows customers to have their own equipment instead of renting expensive equipment from the cable companies. This law needs to be expanded to include satellite tv companies.
Satellite television companies require a STB (set top box) connected to each tv, each of those boxes have a fee associated with it.
By allowing customers to use their own STB it will cut costs that consumers have monthly. It will also allow consumers to choose between completing STB manufacturers and encourage innovation.