CEA Raises Concerns of Home Networking ‘Balkanization,’ in Comments on Nagra Waiver Request
Granting Nagra USA’s request for a waiver from FCC set-top box rules (CD Sept 4 p5) could lead to a “Balkanization of home network interfaces that would further frustrate competition and also undercut common reliance on CableCARDs,” CEA said in comments on the requests. “CEA has opposed and will continue to oppose any waiver request that would undermine CableCARD common reliance unless and until an IP-based successor interface that is nationally standard and is nationally portable is referenced in FCC regulations,” it said (http://xrl.us/bnqtix). Nagra sought waivers from requirements that cable boxes include a CableCARD slot and an HDMI or DVI output.
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"The problem with the Nagra petition is that it is too modest in the relief that it seeks,” CEA said: “Any FCC action that would move beyond CableCARDs needs to identify and require a fully capable successor, in the new context of interactive IP distribution to IP-based home networks.” CEA said it would not oppose a limited waiver of only the HDMI or DVI output requirements as long as operators are still required to support CableCARDs and continue to make HD set-top boxes with HDMI outputs.
The Allvid Tech Company Alliance, of which Nagra is a member, also opposed the requests. “The Alliance must oppose the commission acting on this petition unless and until the Commission has acted to provide specific assurances referring to and protecting the use of open, nondiscriminatory standards in competitive devices,” it said (http://xrl.us/bnqtkk). “Clear and affirmative conditions on industry implementation of open, nondiscriminatory standards must be in place before the Commission takes favorable action in the instant proceeding.” Any FCC action should include assurances that competitive devices can use their own user-interface to make an integrated program guide of MVPD and over-the-top content, the alliance said.
Public Knowledge said it supported Nagra’s requests even in the absence of more comprehensive rulemaking around pay-TV gateway devices. “In the absence of movement on AllVid, the commission should not allow its rules to stand in the way of providers who would offer AllVid-like home gateway solutions,” Public Knowledge said (http://xrl.us/bnqtmw). Letting cable operators deploy centralized gateway devices like the one Nagra described could make it easier for customers to use more devices to access pay-TV programming, it said. “Such a waiver could, at least, pave the way for AllVid,” it said. But to the extent to which the commission grants a waiver and cable operators deploy Nagra gateways, cable operators “should be on notice that they are not exempt from complying with any future standards that may be promulgated” regarding cable set-top boxes, it said.