Publication Type: Media Release
Date: 8/16/2006CONTACT: Brian Dietz/Joy Sims, 202-775-3629
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) today submitted to the Federal Communications Commission a request for waiver of the “integration ban” – the rule that will require cable operators to deploy more costly set-top boxes to consumers beginning July 1, 2007.
The integration ban will require cable operators beginning next July to provide consumers new set-top boxes without the security element embedded, as it is in current equipment. NCTA requested the waiver until the time when cable operators deploy the less expensive, more efficient downloadable security solution which can work in both cable set-top boxes and “cable ready” devices sold at retail, or until the end of 2009, whichever is earlier.
NCTA President & CEO Kyle McSlarrow has sent a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and each of the FCC commissioners describing NCTA’s filing. The text of McSlarrow’s letter and NCTA’s waiver request are linked below.
NCTA is the principal trade association for the U.S. cable industry, representing cable operators serving more than 90 percent of the nation's cable television households and more than 200 cable program networks. The cable industry is the nation’s largest broadband provider of high-speed Internet access after investing $100 billion over ten years to build a two-way interactive network with fiber optic technology. Cable companies also provide state-of-the-art digital telephone service to millions of American consumers.
Attachment: DCAS_Waiver_Cover_Letter_08.16.06.pdf (40 KB)Attachment: NCTA_DCAS_Waiver_08.16.06.pdf (172 KB)