Steve Mehs
06-11-03, 04:02 AM
Tuesday's action at NCTA's show in Chicago focused on the government side, with some of the nation's top regulators warning the cable business to watch rate increases for customers.
FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein summed up the feelings of other regulators at the show concerning the price issue. "Cable is in a strong position," he said. "But (the cable industry) needs to watch prices to keep criticism at bay."
Kevin Martin, another FCC commissioner participating in a panel discussion at the show, said cable must continue telling its story about the money being spent on upgrading systems and delivering an expanded slate of services. "Cost will continue to be a challenge," he said. Still, "the industry needs to get its message out in D.C."
FCC Chairman Michael Powell opened Tuesday's show talking about - among other things - the move to digital TV. Powell told his audience that if all parties don't participate in the switch, "we won't have a digital TV transition."
Powell added that efforts so far have helped the DTV effort. "I'm proud of what all industries have done in the last year," he said.
The FCC chairman told the crowd that the next step for their industry is to expand offerings and services at the local level. He said the cable business could "out-local the local broadcaster" if it wanted to take on that local broadcaster scene.
"The industry really has the tools it needs," Powell said. Yet, "cable has a lot of untapped potential," he added, referring to the local opportunities.
During his talk, Powell reiterated a popular theme in Washington, D.C., concerning spectrum issues. He said there's still interest in recouping spectrum for new services, such as emerging wireless offerings like Wi-Fi.
Powell also said the ongoing activities at FCC is like participating in a "surreal" moment. "Every industry is in full-scale revolution," he said.
From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com) (Used with Permission)
FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein summed up the feelings of other regulators at the show concerning the price issue. "Cable is in a strong position," he said. "But (the cable industry) needs to watch prices to keep criticism at bay."
Kevin Martin, another FCC commissioner participating in a panel discussion at the show, said cable must continue telling its story about the money being spent on upgrading systems and delivering an expanded slate of services. "Cost will continue to be a challenge," he said. Still, "the industry needs to get its message out in D.C."
FCC Chairman Michael Powell opened Tuesday's show talking about - among other things - the move to digital TV. Powell told his audience that if all parties don't participate in the switch, "we won't have a digital TV transition."
Powell added that efforts so far have helped the DTV effort. "I'm proud of what all industries have done in the last year," he said.
The FCC chairman told the crowd that the next step for their industry is to expand offerings and services at the local level. He said the cable business could "out-local the local broadcaster" if it wanted to take on that local broadcaster scene.
"The industry really has the tools it needs," Powell said. Yet, "cable has a lot of untapped potential," he added, referring to the local opportunities.
During his talk, Powell reiterated a popular theme in Washington, D.C., concerning spectrum issues. He said there's still interest in recouping spectrum for new services, such as emerging wireless offerings like Wi-Fi.
Powell also said the ongoing activities at FCC is like participating in a "surreal" moment. "Every industry is in full-scale revolution," he said.
From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com) (Used with Permission)