Boxee, Comcast Take Basic Tier Encryption Compromise to FCC
Lawyers for Comcast and Boxee presented a proposal to resolve an impasse that held up work on an FCC order that would let all-digital cable systems encrypt the signal of basic-tier programming. The two-part plan involves an interim and long-term solution that would let devices such as the Boxee Box receive encrypted basic-tier programming, according to an ex parte notice (http://xrl.us/bnc79y).
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Initially, the companies would develop “as soon as possible” an HD “digital transport adapter” with an ethernet connector, called an E-DTA, the ex parte notice said. “This solution would enable a customer with a third-party device to access basic tier channels directly through an Ethernet input on such third-party device, or via the home network, and change channels remote in the E-DTA via a DLNA protocol."
Shortly after implementing the initial solution, a long-term solution involving the “creating of a licensing path for integrating DTA technology into third-party devices” would occur, the notice said. “Such a device could access encrypted basic tier channels without the need for a cable operator-supplied DTA or set-top box.” Agency officials have said that work by the Media Bureau toward a draft encryption order had been slowed by concerns raised by Boxee shortly before the order was initially expected to have circulated.
Comcast and Boxee believe the proposals make “a strong foundation for a final order” in the proceeding, the ex parte notice said. The timing on when the item will be approved is still up to the commission, a Boxee spokeswoman said. “We presented the proposed solution to the FCC and will have to wait and see how the FCC takes it from there,” she said. “We have no information regarding timing.
"The proposal looks like progress, “which is good,” said Mark Ely, CEO of Simple.TV, a company that makes a device that, like the Boxee Box, was designed to use unencrypted basic tier programming feeds. “The questions are who is providing the dongle or Ethernet adapter? Is that provided by the cable company free of charge or does the consumer have to pay for it?” he asked. “And on the embedded side, what are the requirements around licensing” the integrated DTA technology, he said. “It raises some questions, but it points to progress, which is a bonus.”