U.S. Court Decision On Cable Navigation Devices Is Win For Consumers, Says CEA

7-Jun-00

The following statement was issued by Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro in response to the decision issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia regarding cable navigation devices. The ruling upholds the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) rule precluding cable television operators from offering integrated set top cable boxes (navigation devices) which provide access to cable programming and other multichannel programming services:""We are pleased that the Circuit Court has unanimously upheld the FCC's sound, pro-consumer navigation devices rules. Today's ruling supports our long-held interest in ensuring that these rules maintain the Commission's pro-competitive policies, as consistent with the public interest. Under these rules, all Americans will soon be able to purchase or rent converter boxes from retail outlets at competitive prices, breaking the monopoly long held by cable providers. At the same time, the rules address the security concerns of cable operators by allowing them to provide separate point-of-deployment (POD) security modules to their customers.""We are particularly pleased that the Court has upheld the FCC's ruling - and our long-held position - that the separate security requirements should apply to analog-digital hybrid boxes. Cable providers must now move ahead and comply with the Commission's rules regarding the deployment of PODs for hybrid systems to expedite the transition to commercial availability of set top devices or utilize other available methods to ensure the compatibility of commercially available navigation devices with cable system security.""The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), the 76-year-old Arlington, Virginia-based trade organization representing all facets of electronics manufacturing and connecting the industries that define the digital age. CEA represents more than 600 U.S. companies involved in the development, manufacturing and distribution of audio, video, mobile electronics, communications, information technology, multimedia and accessory products that are sold through consumer channels. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Your Source for Workstyle and Lifestyle Technology(SM). All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.Source: CEA