AT&T: No Need For FCC Set-Top Waiver - 7/5/2007 2:54:00 PM - Multichannel News
Telco Says IP Network Isn’t Covered By Integrated Set-Top Ban
By Ted Hearn -- Multichannel News, 7/5/2007 2:54:00 PM
Washington – AT&T didn’t seek a set-top box waiver from the Federal Communications Commission because the company claims that its Internet Protocol video-delivery technology isn’t covered by the law that forced traditional cable operators to discontinue deployment of integrated set-top boxes on July 1.
AT&T spokesman Mike Balmoris said that because the company’s U-verse pay-TV service didn’t use cable set-tops that contain both channel surfing and signal security features, it didn’t need a waiver.
“The intelligence that this ban is seeking to separate doesn’t reside in our set-top box. It’s in our network,” Balmoris said. “We beam one channel at a time into your home, like when you download a Web page.”
On July 1, the FCC barred cable companies without legal waivers from issuing integrated set-top boxes. Going forward, they need to deploy boxes that rely on CableCards as their anti-signal-theft technology.
The FCC granted dozens of waivers on June 29, especially to providers that promised to be all-digital by Feb. 17, 2009. Verizon received a waiver for low-end, two-way boxes until Dec. 31, 2009 and for high-end HD/DVR boxes until July 1, 2008.
The FCC said the high-end waiver was necessary because CableCard-enabled boxes haven’t been made for video operators that rely on IP technology.
Since AT&T U-verse is an IP-based system, it also was covered by the FCC’s June 29th order, Balmoris added.
“It’s not just AT&T U-verse. It’s all IP video, which includes, of course, AT&T. We are not the only IP (provider),” Balmoris said.
FCC spokeswoman Mary Diamond said the FCC didn’t issue AT&T a waiver.
“You need to request a waiver to be granted a waiver,” Diamond said.
Telco Says IP Network Isn’t Covered By Integrated Set-Top Ban
By Ted Hearn -- Multichannel News, 7/5/2007 2:54:00 PM
Washington – AT&T didn’t seek a set-top box waiver from the Federal Communications Commission because the company claims that its Internet Protocol video-delivery technology isn’t covered by the law that forced traditional cable operators to discontinue deployment of integrated set-top boxes on July 1.
AT&T spokesman Mike Balmoris said that because the company’s U-verse pay-TV service didn’t use cable set-tops that contain both channel surfing and signal security features, it didn’t need a waiver.
“The intelligence that this ban is seeking to separate doesn’t reside in our set-top box. It’s in our network,” Balmoris said. “We beam one channel at a time into your home, like when you download a Web page.”
On July 1, the FCC barred cable companies without legal waivers from issuing integrated set-top boxes. Going forward, they need to deploy boxes that rely on CableCards as their anti-signal-theft technology.
The FCC granted dozens of waivers on June 29, especially to providers that promised to be all-digital by Feb. 17, 2009. Verizon received a waiver for low-end, two-way boxes until Dec. 31, 2009 and for high-end HD/DVR boxes until July 1, 2008.
The FCC said the high-end waiver was necessary because CableCard-enabled boxes haven’t been made for video operators that rely on IP technology.
Since AT&T U-verse is an IP-based system, it also was covered by the FCC’s June 29th order, Balmoris added.
“It’s not just AT&T U-verse. It’s all IP video, which includes, of course, AT&T. We are not the only IP (provider),” Balmoris said.
FCC spokeswoman Mary Diamond said the FCC didn’t issue AT&T a waiver.
“You need to request a waiver to be granted a waiver,” Diamond said.
