[opendtv] FCC on next gen CableCard
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:10:11 -0500
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-60A1.pdf
Above is the notice of inquiry concerning devbelopment of a next generation
CableCard system.
Commssioner McDowell says:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-60A4.pdf
"To be blunt, the CableCARD approach to implementing Section 629 has been
disappointing. Although the Commission has made some progress in trying to
bring Congress' vision to reality, the fact remains that a very large majority
of consumers continue to rely on equipment supplied by their pay TV providers.
It is another example of an unintended consequence of regulation. I support the
two initiatives before us now - a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
("FNPRM") to examine the CableCARD rules and a new Notice of Inquiry ("NOI") to
explore possible alternatives to our current approach. Each asks a number of
good questions about what has, or has not, worked in the marketplace to date
while probing into the reasons behind those developments. For example, would
consumers be more inclined to seek out CableCARD-compliant devices if monthly
bills separately broke out the cost of the operatorprovided box from the charge
for the CableCARD pre-installed in that box? Is a truck roll really necessary
to install a CableCARD in a box acquired at retail? And, perhaps most important
of all, what do consumers consider in weighing whether to lease a box from
their MVPD as opposed to buying a box from a third-party provider?"
My take is, nothing will change if the MVPDs can make using these devices more
expensive it has any right to be, or if the devices are not easily installed by
owners. Or if the MVPDs give CE manufactuers "incentives" to not build
equipment that uses these adapters.
And yet, it is patently OBVIOUS that a substantial percentage of cable
subscribers want to not have to use the STBs. That's what has kept many of them
on analog cable. That's why many cable subscribers like clearQAM, not knowing
that both analog and clearQAM have their days numbered.
Problem is, so many allow thermselves to be herded like sheep.
Bert
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