CEA Files Opposition To Mandatory DTV Receiver Standards With FCC

13-Apr-01

In a brief filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) stated its vehement opposition to a petition requesting that the FCC reconsider its ruling pertaining to performance standards for digital television (DTV) receivers.ìCEA and its members strongly oppose broadcastersí continued calls for government-imposed performance standards for digital television receivers,î the brief states. ìAs the Commission recognizes, ëDTV receiver manufacturers, driven by market forces, are continuing to make significant improvements in their products, particularly in the area of indoor reception and multipath signal handling capabilities.í The Commission correctly concluded that government mandated performance standards would impede innovation and lead to lowest common denominator solutions.îThe brief was filed in response to a petition by a group of broadcasting organizations, who have asked the FCC to reconsider its ruling in the DTV Biennial Review Order, which declined to adopt mandatory performance standards for DTV receivers.CEAís arguments focus on two distinct points - (1) that the FCC lacks the requisite statutory authority to impose such standards upon manufacturers, and (2) that mandatory receiver standards are a poor policy decision, due to the thriving consumer marketplace for DTV products.With regard to the FCCís authority in the matter, CEA argues that ìWhile drafting the All-Channel Receiver Act, the 87th Congress explicitly considered and rejected the possibility of granting the Commission the general authority to set receiver performance standards. As discussed in previous pleadings submitted before the Commission, the legislative history of the statute clearly bears out this fact.îIn terms of the policy implications, CEA cites previous decisions by the FCC to rely on market forces to govern DTV receiver design, ìThroughout its DTV proceedings, the Commission has recognized the inherent difficulties of predicting consumer demand...The Commission was properly reticent about predicting market demand. Equipment manufacturers, motivated by market demands, are in the best position to respond quickly to marketplace changes.îCEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro commented, ìThe Commission made the proper decision in its original ruling on receiver standards. We now urge the Commission to turn its focus toward content, and ensure that broadcasters meet their obligation to provide viewers with ample, high quality digital programming.îFor more information about the CEA, visit www.CE.org.

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