3:40 PM -- For those still keeping score as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prepares to tweak the existing CableCARD rules as it pursues a broader, but less formal "AllVid" notice of inquiry, the top 10 US "incumbent" MSOs have deployed more than 22.7 million operator-supplied set-tops with CableCARDs since the integrated security ban went into effect in July 2007.

In comparison, those 10 operators have likewise deployed roughly 531,000 CableCARDs for use in retail devices such as TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO) DVRs, according to the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) 's latest count.

That's an increase of just 10,000 since June, the last time the NCTA reported CableCARD deployment figures.

That general lack of retail momentum pretty much sums up why the FCC is looking at AllVid-based gateways and adapters that would apply not just to cable, but to satellite- and telco-TV service providers too. (See FCC Floats 'Simple' Gateway, CableCARD Rules , All About the FCC's AllVid, and Cable: FCC's AllVid Goes Too Far .)

As for the new rules, tentatively set for an Oct. 14 vote, they aim to improve and preserve the retail market for the CableCARD. There may be an argument for improvements, but, for now, there's not much there to preserve.

— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Light Reading Cable