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15 April 2016 By Robert Cyran Follow @rob_cyran

A record merger wave has decreased competition in the U.S. economy, encouraging the president to channel predecessor Teddy Roosevelt. Unpopular cable firms and expensive set-top boxes make a good first target. But technological change makes it tough to be a trustbuster today.

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President Barack Obama said on April 15 that he would sign an executive order directing federal agencies to identify within 60 days policies that would foster economic competition.

As a first step, the administration filed a comment with the Federal Communications Commission in support of a proposed rule that would prohibit cable operators from requiring customers to rent proprietary set-top boxes. The FCC proposed the rule in February, and established a 60-day period for public comment.

The U.S. government estimates that distributors earn $20 billion a year in rental fees for set-top boxes.

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