[opendtv] Re: FCC rules for cable after the OTA TV digital transition
- From: "Eory Frank-p22212" <Frank.Eory@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:04:05 -0700
It seems that this order simply prolongs the completion of cable's DTV
transition, which seems rather odd, considering the FCC's supposed
interest in completing the broadcaster's DTV transition as quickly as is
practical.
The either/or option of maintaining an analog tier or going all-digital
only when all subs have the necessary equipment is also puzzling. Does
the order require MSOs to foot the bill for all those STBs if he is
anxious to eliminate analog sooner rather than later? If so, how ironic
that this order comes on the heels of a previous order that requires
MSOs to spend a lot more money on each STB by forcing the CA separation
and the purchasing of CableCards. The sum total of both orders looks
like a massive tax on cable MSOs with little or no improvement in
service to subscribers.
Wonderful. Rather than allowing cable MSOs to follow their own business
plans to add more and more HD channels and to increase broadband speeds
-- in other words, their plans to increase the service offerings on the
digital tier while decreasing the offerings on the analog tier -- the
FCC has ORDERED that the MSOs change their plans and remain stuck in the
past for a few years longer. A fine example of an anti-progress ruling
by the government.
The U.S. is already lagging other industrialized nations on broadband
penetration. This ruling will only make that worse, by prolonging
cable's digital spectrum shortage.
-- Frank Eory
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