Digital Cable Ready (DCR) Equipment / CableCARDs
A CableCARD is a device that plugs into a slot built into a digital television or other device, allowing for digital cable services without a set-top box. The CableCARD provides the same security/descrambling function as cable’s set-top boxes but can be plugged into “cable ready” digital devices (like digital TVs).
While CableCARDs were intended to spur the introduction of devices that could receive cable services without a set-top box, the FCC has adopted an unnecessary regulation – known as the “integration ban” – that requires all cable-supplied set-top boxes to be re-designed so a CableCARD can be inserted. This regulation will likely cost cable consumers more than $600 million dollars per year in higher prices while offering no tangible benefits.
Examining the Issue
Integration Ban
In an ill-advised attempt to foster the proliferation of retail “digital cable ready” CableCARD-enabled equipment that can access cable services without a set-top box, the FCC has ruled that cable companies be prevented from continuing to provide their own set-top boxes with integrated security features. The set-top “integration ban” requires cable companies to re-engineer the set-top boxes that they lease to customers to access digital cable services so they use CableCARDs like retail “digital cable ready” devices do. This will likely cost cable consumers more than $600 million dollars per year in higher prices without benefit, since they will pay $2 to $3 more per month for new equipment that provides exactly the same functionality as their existing set-top box.
Read more about this issue in the Integration Ban Issue Brief.
Regulatory Filings
3/23/2009
NCTA Letter 03/23/09
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Abstract: NCTA Letter re: Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices, submitting a report from the 5 largest MSOs detailing CableCARD deployment and support; CS Docket No. 97-80Attachment: 032309 97-80 CableCARD rpt.pdf (102 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
12/22/2008
NCTA Letter 12/22/08Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA Letter re: Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices, submitting a report from the 5 largest MSOs detailing CableCARD deployment and support; CS Docket No. 97-80Attachment: 122208 97-80 cablecard report.pdf (118 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
9/22/2008
NCTA Letter 09/22/08Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA Letter re: Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices, submitting a report from the 5 largest MSOs detailing CableCARD deployment and support; CS Docket No. 97-80Attachment: 092208 97-80 status.pdf (117 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
6/23/2008
NCTA Letter 06/23/08Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA Letter re: Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices, submitting a report from the top 5 cable companies detailing CableCARD deployment and support; CS Docket No. 97-80Attachment: 062308 97-80 CableCARD Report.pdf (122 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
3/25/2008
NCTA Letter 03/25/08Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA Letter re: Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices, submitting a report from the 5 largest MSOs detailing CableCARD deployment and support; CS Docket No. 97-80Attachment: 032508 97-80 Cable Report.pdf (119 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
11/13/2007
NCTA Letter 11/13/07Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA Letter re: Annual Assessment of the Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of Video Programming, arguing that the second prong of the 70/70 test has not been met; MB Docket No. 06-189
Attachment: 111307 06-189 letter.pdf (59 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
10/30/2007
NCTA Letter 10/30/07Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA Letter re: Compatibility Between Cable Systems & Consumer Electronics Equipment; Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices; Letter from Neal Goldberg re DCR+ Proposal; 00-67, 97-80Attachment: 103007 97-80 00-67 letter.pdf (128 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
9/10/2007
NCTA Reply Comments 09/10/07Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA Reply Comments re: Implementation of Section 304 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996; Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices [CS Docket No. 97-80] and Compatibility Between Cable Systems and Consumer Electronics Equipment [PP Docket No. 00-67], requesting that the FCC facilitate the OpenCable Platform as the only practical approach t...Attachment: 091007 97-80 00-67 replies.pdf (403 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
8/24/2007
NCTA Comments 08/24/07Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA Comments re: Implementation of Section 304 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996; Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices; Compatibility Between Cable Systems and Consumer Electronics Equipment, urging the Commission to use regulation to expedite the rollout of two-way cable-ready products to consumers while still preserving the advanta...Attachment: 082407 97-80 Comments.pdf (419 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
8/14/2007
NCTA Opposition 08/14/07Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA Opposition to Verizon's Application for Review and Petition for Clarification of the Media Bureau's Memorandum Opinion & Order re: Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices, urging the FCC to grant to all cable operators the same relief as Verizon; CSR-7042-Z, CS Docket No. 97-80Attachment: 081407 97-80 opposition.pdf (44 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
6/20/2007
NCTA Letter 06/20/07Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA Letter re: Commercial Availability of Navigation Devices on the two-way plug & play devices; CS Docket No. 97-80Attachment: 062007 97-80 Carey.pdf (5 MB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing
2/23/2007
NCTA Letter 02/23/07Email this Document
Abstract: NCTA Letter from Neal M. Goldberg, Vice President and General Counsel, to Heather Dixon, Legal Advisor to Chairman Martin, expressing the cable industry's support for a market-based approach based on OCAP to bring "two-way" digital cable ready products to market; similar letters also sent to Rudy Brioche, Cristina Pauze, Chris Robbins and Bruce Go...Attachment: OCAP letter Dixon 22307.pdf (72 KB)Publication Type: Regulatory Filing