The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has, via a 3-2 vote on Thursday, given its approval to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), a proposal for expanding consumer choices for the set-top boxes which they use for watching cable TV.

The proposal was unveiled in January 2016 by the FFC Chairman Tom Wheeler who, along with fellow Democrats Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel voted in favor of it. However, the two Republican FCC commissioners - Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly – opposed the proposal.

The 3-2 approval to the NPRM is not a final vote. It would mark the commencement of a months-long public comment period, which will eventually lead up to a final vote that will probably take place before the end of 2016.

The proposal approved by the FCC seeks to give consumers the ability to obtain video services from providers like Alphabet, Apple and Tivo, rather than cable, satellite and other TV providers like Comcast Corp and Verizon Communications.

At present, nearly all US customers have to get their TV set-top boxes from cable companies, at an average annual lease payment of $231. However, with the FCC having approved the NPRM, the $20 billion TV set-top box market will open up to more competition; thanks to the potential availability of alternative devices like smart TV or tablet, which would help reduce the costs for consumers.