[opendtv] French CSA requirements for cable operators
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 19:41:17 -0400
This is the French equivalent of our must-carry rules. The CSA (FCC
equivalent) is concerned that in some parts of a TV market, FOTA TV
might not receivable, and cable will be necessary. But they want to make
sure that all will have access to the FOTA TV signal on an equal basis.
And remember too the high percentage of apartment dwellers, especially
in cities.
In 2004, an "antenna service" provided by cable operators was decreed,
in which the only costs to consumers would be installation and
maintenance of the plant.
Even before this law was written, cable operators had proposed an
"antenna service" for apartment buildings, where analog TV channels
would have been available free and clear. The CSA thinks that adding
FOTA DTT channels to this service would not constitute a major expense.
(Note: this means multicast must-carry, as far as I can tell. No mention
of any paring down.)
According to this:
http://www.csa.fr/infos/textes/textes_detail.php?id=3D115265
(remove "3D" following any equals sign)
French cable operators have three choices with respect to carriage of
FOTA TV:
1. They can retransmit the DTT signal "as is," free and clear, over the
cable plant. This means carrying analog SECAM (until analog shutoff),
DVB-C, and DVB-T versions of the program on the cable system, but it
would also require new cable STBs.
2. They can carry the DTT signals as DVB-C (QAM), but free and clear.
3. They can install DTT STBs, for a price which covers the box and
installation. To me, this third option doesn't make any sense for
individual homes, but does make sense for apartments that might
otherwise (like they do here) conveniently remove any central antenna
system.
I think what's interesting here is that the French are approaching these
rules using the STB as their primary vehicle, although they do mention
integrated sets too. Whereas the FCC has taken the tack of making the
plug-and-play functionality integral with the TV or the recording
device. Also, the French law is considerably more severe, in that it
requires what is FOTA to remain free (minus acquisition and installation
costs), no matter whether distributed via cable or OTA.
Bert
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