DSTAC Deadline Approaching; Factions Still Divided
The Downloadable Security Technology Advisory Committee remained divided over the characteristics of a possible downloadable security system, at their meeting Tuesday, despite a Congressional requirement that their work be complete by Sept. 4. Entities such as TiVo and Public Knowledge that recently formally banded together as the Consumer Video Choice Coalition (see 1507010064">1507010064) want a solution that will allow third party retail set top boxes with their own proprietary user interfaces (UIs) to view multichannel video programming distributor content. MVPD representatives said their UIs and set-top box features are an integral part of the service their customers pay for, and are pushing for a solution that won't interfere with those offerings.
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“Our service is a basket of all kinds of features, all surrounding linear video,” said Charter Chief Technology Officer Jay Rolls. Making their video content available on third party devices separate from the extra features available on proprietary UIs like autotuning high definition and social media apps is “a huge deal” for MVPDs, he said. The disagreement is rooted in the argument over the DSTAC's scope, said Google Vice President-Access Services Milo Medin. Google is a Coalition member. MVPDs insistence that their services include a broad range of functions beyond linear video “makes it very difficult to put out a document that addresses core services,” Medin said.
Though the divisions have occurred at every previous DSTAC meeting, FCC Chief Technologist Scott Jordan took a more active role Tuesday, urging the committee to focus on the issues that need to be resolved to produce the group's report, which is required by the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization Act. The committee's time would be “better spent not trying to resolve this debate about what tech should or shouldn't be included in what device,” Jordan said. The committee needs to focus on functions that occur within a navigation device, and on whether they can be replicated in third party devices, he suggested.
At Tuesday's meeting, the committee heard from working groups on security requirements, platforms and other characteristics of a downloadable security system. The MVPD representatives on the committee favor an app model, with security and content delivered by downloading individual applications onto devices. The app model allows diversity and innovation, said Comcast Senior Vice President Industry Affairs Mark Hess. “The app model has been a boon to us,” said John Card, who represents Dish on the DSTAC. But Public Knowledge representative Adam Goldberg said the app model represents the status quo rather than a new downloadable security solution. Since apps are proprietary, a system based on them won't allow competitive third party devices as required by STELAR, Goldberg said.
“We don't have very much time at all,” said DSTAC Chair Cheryl Tritt. Though some broad proposals for downloadable security systems were discussed at Tuesday's meeting, the group is expected come up with further recommendations by August, so the final report can be drafted on time, Jordan said. Hauppauge Computer Works Chief Technologist Brad Love conceded that the factions on the committee still don't see eye to eye, though he said they're finding some common ground.