Steve Mehs
03-31-03, 03:29 AM
The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association asked the Federal Communications Commission to remedy the "cable-ready" agreement inked by cable and consumer electronics interests by gathering input on the issue from all parties.
The memorandum of understanding created technical standards for cable-ready digital televisions, and cable and CE companies that signed the agreement asked the FCC to codify the standards as federal rules. Satellite TV interests said the requirements will impact all multichannel services, despite the fact that small dish companies and content providers were excluded from the cable/CE negotiations.
In a summary of its comments, filed last week, the SBCA said each multichannel provider has very different business models and technical capabilities that were disregarded by cable and CE industries when they worked out the agreement. To rectify the concerns, the SBCA said the FCC should get comments from all parties that would be impacted by the cable/CE agreement.
DirecTV was among the first to voice concerns with the cable/CE agreement. DirecTV Chairman Eddy Hartenstein wrote a letter in December to FCC Chairman Michael Powell saying his company and other non-cable operators were not included in the discussions, "despite some language in those recommendations suggesting otherwise."
In its comments, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association urged the FCC to adopt the rules proposed by cable companies and CE manufacturers without any changes.
From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com/skyreport/mar2003/033103.shtm#two) (Used with Permission)
The memorandum of understanding created technical standards for cable-ready digital televisions, and cable and CE companies that signed the agreement asked the FCC to codify the standards as federal rules. Satellite TV interests said the requirements will impact all multichannel services, despite the fact that small dish companies and content providers were excluded from the cable/CE negotiations.
In a summary of its comments, filed last week, the SBCA said each multichannel provider has very different business models and technical capabilities that were disregarded by cable and CE industries when they worked out the agreement. To rectify the concerns, the SBCA said the FCC should get comments from all parties that would be impacted by the cable/CE agreement.
DirecTV was among the first to voice concerns with the cable/CE agreement. DirecTV Chairman Eddy Hartenstein wrote a letter in December to FCC Chairman Michael Powell saying his company and other non-cable operators were not included in the discussions, "despite some language in those recommendations suggesting otherwise."
In its comments, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association urged the FCC to adopt the rules proposed by cable companies and CE manufacturers without any changes.
From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com/skyreport/mar2003/033103.shtm#two) (Used with Permission)