[opendtv] Re: News: Microsoft Backs Set-Top Deadline Delay
- From: "Dale Kelly" <dalekelly@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 05 Mar 2005 10:17:16 -0800
> The requirement would have complicated cable's plans to go
> all-digital through widespread deployment of low-cost digital set
> tops,
> A delay would be especially positive for Comcast, Time Warner,
> Insight and Mediacom, he says, because deploying low-cost set tops
> will expand their base of video-on-demand customers and permit
> simulcasting of cable channels in analog and digital.
The delay will also result in the bypassing of ATSC receiver contained in
P&P cable ready receivers now included in newly purchased DTV sets -
possibly an added benefit for the cable industry?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig Birkmaier" <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "OpenDTV Mail List" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 5:59 AM
Subject: [opendtv] News: Microsoft Backs Set-Top Deadline Delay
> http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA506980.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP
>
> Microsoft Backs Set-Top Deadline Delay
>
>
> By Bill McCOnnell -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/25/2005 3:00:00 PM
>
> Microsoft may have rescued cable's fight to postpone a FCC rule that
> would hamper their deployment of low-cost digital set-top boxes.
>
> Thursday, Feb. 24, Microsoft sent a letter to the FCC supporting the
> cable industry's request to delay until at least 2007 a deadline for
> eliminating cable-provided set tops that combined CableCARD security
> functions with channel surfing and interactive functions.
>
> The requirement would have complicated cable's plans to go
> all-digital through widespread deployment of low-cost digital set
> tops, says Paul Gallant, Washington analyst for Stanford Research
> Group.
>
> A delay would be especially positive for Comcast, Time Warner,
> Insight and Mediacom, he says, because deploying low-cost set tops
> will expand their base of video-on-demand customers and permit
> simulcasting of cable channels in analog and digital.
>
> Currently the ban is scheduled to go into effect July 2006. Cable
> operators complain that the current deadline will force them to raise
> monthly lease rates for new set tops by roughly $2.50 per month.
> That cost increase, Gallant says, could lead to customer defections
> or lower margins.
>
> The deadline was originally imposed to encourage a retail market for
> interactive digital boxes. The FCC judged that the market would be
> hindered if cable operators continued to supply all-in-one boxes,
> leaving customers less incentive to seek a retail version.
>
> The FCC appeared to be leaning toward delaying the deadline until a
> lobbying blitz by Intel Corp. Cable lobbyists say Intel stands to
> benefit if non-cable equipment makers lead the retail box market
> because it is a the major supplier of their chips.
>
> Microsoft first informed FCC Chairman Michael Powell of its decision
> to support a delay in the deadline via phone call Thursday.
>
> Microsoft joined cable because company executives believe cable is
> moving toward developing retail products of its own. Maintaining the
> 2006 deadline will "further impede the kinds of collaborative efforts
> between the consumer electronics, information technology and cable
> industries that are need to devise more forward-looking and
> effective" routed to developing a retail market, wrote Microsoft
> regulatory counsel Paula Boyd in the company's letter to the FCC.
>
> Also signing the letter were James Coltharp, Comcast chief policy
> advisor, and Stephen Teplitz, Time Warner associate general counsel.
>
>
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