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Who got FCC waivers and who did not? Here are the results in bite-sized form
A reader recently asked if we had a list of operators that had (or hadn't) received waivers in the wake of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 's ban on set-tops with integrated security that went into effect July 1. (See Countdown to 'Seven-Oh-Seven', Boxing Up 'Seven-Oh-Seven' , MSOs Struggle With Set-Top Change, and Verizon & Others Get Their Waivers.)
Considering the amount of coverage we have given this important subject in recent weeks, I was a bit embarrassed to say that I did not have such a list, offering up instead a series of links to the lengthy orders posted on the FCC Website.
To that reader: If you took my advice, I hope the eye bleeding has subsided by now.
But the request did give me the idea to dive into those documents again and create a bite-sized version of that information, and present the results (so far) in chart form. Enjoy, if you are so compelled...
Table 1: Mmmm....waivers
Company | Request | FCC Media Bureau Action/Status |
Armstrong Utilities Inc. | Sought waiver on DCT700 until Dec. 31, 2009, or until the availability of downloadable security. | Denied waiver request, noting that integrated set-tops are not necessary for the launch of new or improved services. FCC has deferred enforcement until Sept. 1, 2007. If able to document that STB vendors will be unable to fill orders for compliant devices by Sept. 1, 2007, Armstrong may file for a limited extension, "but we do not expect to routinely grant such requests," FCC said. |
Atlantic Broadband Finance LLC | Sought waiver on low-end set-tops. | Denied waiver request, noting that integrated set-tops are not necessary for the launch of new or improved services. FCC has deferred enforcement until Sept. 1, 2007. If able to document that STB vendors will be unable to fill orders for compliant devices by Sept. 1, 2007, operator may file for a limited extension, "but we do not expect to routinely grant such requests," FCC said. |
BendBroadband | Sought waiver on the Motorola DCT700, an entry-level, all-digital set-top that costs less than $100 per unit. Operator argued that the box is critical to its plans to migrate to an all-digital environment. | Granted waiver on condition that operator accomplish its migration to all-digital by 2008. Operator must also reach certain milestones during this period. |
Bresnan Communications LLC | Sought waiver of ban until deployment of downloadable security or Dec. 21, 2009, whichever is earliest. | Denied waiver request, noting that integrated set-tops are not necessary for the launch of new or improved services. FCC has deferred enforcement until Sept. 1, 2007. If able to document that STB vendors will be unable to fill orders for compliant devices by Sept. 1, 2007, operator may file for a limited extension, "but we do not expect to routinely grant such requests," FCC said. |
Cable & Communications Corp. and Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative | Sought 18-month waiver on prohibition on integrated set-tops, particularly for Motorola DSR470, DCT6412/6416, DCT2000, and DCT2500. | Denied waiver request, noting that integrated set-tops are not necessary for the launch of new or improved services. FCC has deferred enforcement until Sept. 1, 2007. If able to document that STB vendors will be unable to fill orders for compliant devices by Sept. 1, 2007, operators may file for a limited extension, "but we do not expect to routinely grant such requests," FCC said. |
Cablevision of Marion County LLC | Sought waiver on four Motorola-made models; DCT700, DCT2500, DSR410, and DSR470 | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
Cablevision Systems Corp. | Sought permanent waiver, citing that deployed digital set-tops already use removable SmartCard-based conditional access systems (supplied by NDS Group). | Grandfathered Cablevison's present use of set-tops with SmartCard technology until July 1, 2009. After that date, Cablevision must migrate to FCC-approved separable security such as the CableCard or a downloadable conditional access system. |
CenturyTel Inc. | Sought waiver on Motorola DSR 470 and refurbished DCT 2000 boxes. | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
Charter Communications | Sought waiver on seven set-top box models. | Granted a waiver on those models until July 1, 2008, citing the MSO's "financial difficulties" in its justification. Charter may also file a request for an extension. |
Choice Cable TV (Puerto Rico) | Sought waiver for DCT700. Argued that costs for CableCARD-based devices are prohibitive for an operator that serves small and rural areas, and that CableCARD-based devices are not generallly available in retail and other outlets in Puerto Rico | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
Comcast Corp. | Sought waiver on three entry-level, all-digital models: the Motorola DCT700, Scientific Atlanta Explorer 940, and Pace Micro Technology "Chicago" DC501p. | Denied Comcast's request for a waiver. MSO now seeking full FCC review of the matter. |
Crosslake Communications | Requested deferral for Motorola DCT2000 until it could receive delivery of set-tops previously ordered that will comply with integration ban. Submitted affidavit showing it ordered units of the CableCARD-capable Motorola DCH200. Estimated that 10 such set-top boxes would be sufficient to meet the limited demand for its digital services for at least 12 months. Further, affidavit states that Motorola has informed the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) that set-top vendor will not be able to deliver the boxes to the co-op until Oct. 1, 2007. | Granted deferral until operator receives delivery of compliant set-tops. |
CTC Video Services LLC | Sought temporary waiver on four Scientific Atlanta Explorer models: 1850, 3250 HD, 8300 SD DVR, and 8300 HD DVR | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
En-Touch Systems Inc. | Sought waiver for Motorola DCT700. | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
GCI | Sought waiver on all new set-top boxes, acknowledging it "primarily relies" on the Motorola DCT700, an all-digital model, and two hybrid analog/digital models: the DCT1000, and DCT2000. | Granted waiver on the DCT700, DCT1000, and DCT2000, but stipulated that the operator must migrate systems to all-digital by Feb. 17, 2009. |
Guam Cablevision LLC | Requested waiver on Scientific Atlanta Explorer 1850 set-top until Dec. 31, 2009. Said compliant boxes won't be available in time for integration ban. | Granted limited waiver until Dec. 21, 2009, acknowledging company's requirement to maintain larger than normal inventory so service can be restored soon after disasters, such as major typhoons, strike. |
Guiness Communications (Delta Cable Vision) | Sought waiver on Motorola DCT 700. | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
Iowa Network Service Providers** | Maintained that it is not required to support CableCARDs because its systems rely on an all-digital distribution network. Also argued in favor of providing downloadable access solution as an option to the CableCARD. | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
Knology Inc. | Requested waiver, believing it would not have CableCARD devices in hand until after deadline. Wanted waiver of ban until it exhausts its supply of integrated set-tops. Argued that waiver would force operator to use CableCARD solution that is "fast becoming obsolete." | Denied waiver request, noting that integrated set-tops are not necessary for the launch of new or improved services. FCC has deferred enforcement until Sept. 1, 2007. If able to document that vendors will be unable to fill orders for compliant devices by Sept. 1, 2007, operator may file for a limited extension, "but we do not expect to routinely grant such requests," FCC said. |
Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico | Sought waiver for the Motorola DCT700 | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
Massillon Cable TV | Sought waiver for the Motorola DCT700 and DCT3416, and Pace Tahoe HD-DVR, stating it had an inventory of 3,255 integrated set-tops valued at $473,544 as of June 1, 2007, and desired to exhaust this inventory. Noted it did not expect to receive compliant boxes until the end of July 2007 at the earliest, and end of September 2007 at the latest. Disclosed it launched an all-digital headend in March 2007. | Denied request, holding that integrated boxes are "not necessary" in the development or introduction of new or improved services. Further, said Massillon's decision to order integrated boxes in such close proximity to the July 1, 2007, deadline "is not a circumstance beyond its control." Operator may alter its original request and seek a deferral, however. |
National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) | Requested industry-wide waiver until cable operators deploy downloadable security or Dec. 21, 2009, whichever is earlier. Also argued that a waiver is necessary to preserve regulatory parity with competitors such as DirecTV and Verizon. | Denied waiver request, holding that it is "not adequately novel or changed from assertions that it has made to support previous extension requests to justify further relief, and it does not reflect developments in the market.� Also argued that cable's migration to all-digital "will be gradual regardless of whether their waiver request is granted." Further, FCC did not side with NCTA's argument that the additive costs of CableCARD support ($72 to $93 per box) would hinder the rollout of new services and translate to $2 to $3 in monthly lease charges to consumers. As for cable's rollout of downloadable security, "we are not convinced that cable operators in fact will deploy DCAS within the specified timeframe." On that point, FCC said NCTA represented in November 2005 that national deployment of DCAS was 2-1/2 years away, then in its waiver request in August 2006 said it expected nationwide deployment to be more than three years away. The agency also chided NCTA for being unable so far to negotiate a bidirectional plug-and-play deal with the Consumer Electronics Association, which "compels us to strictly enforce" the integration rules. |
NPG Cable Inc. | Requested waiver on Motorola DCT7000. | Denied waiver request, noting that integrated set-tops are not necessary for the launch of new or improved services. FCC has deferred enforcement until Sept. 1, 2007. Agency also allows operator to amend original request. |
OneSource Communications | Sought waiver for the Motorola DCT700 entry-level all-digital box, and the DCT3416, a model with on-board DVR and HDTV capabilities. | Conditionally granted waiver on the DCT700, so long as MSO commits to migrate to all-digital by Feb. 17, 2009. FCC denied waiver on the DCT3416, arguing that the model is not "critical" to the operator's all-digital ambitions. |
Orange Broadband Operating Company LLC and Carolina Broadband | Requested waiver on Motorola DCT7000. | Denied waiver request, noting that integrated set-tops are not necessary for the launch of new or improved services. FCC has deferred enforcement until Sept. 1, 2007. If able to document that STB vendors will be unable to fill orders for compliant devices by Sept. 1, 2007, operator may file for a limited extension, "but we do not expect to routinely grant such requests," FCC said. |
Qwest Communications International | Sought waiver on set-tops used for VDSL- and FTTH-BPON-based video delivery systems. Argued that current VDSL set-top vendor (Motorola) does not make or has plans to develop alternate set-top boxes for this system. Added that alternative set-top box for FTTH-BPON system is available, but costs would hinder the development and implementation of next-gneration FTTH architecture, and would provide no benefit to small number of customers using this architecture. Further argued that company plans to migrate away from both types of boxes in next few years. | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
RCN Corp. | "Sought waiver on Motorola DCT700 box until February 2009, believing it is key to the MSO's transition to all-digital. Had argued that the DCT700's CableCARD-equivalent box costs three times more per unit. | Has yet to act on RCN's request***. |
Rural ATM Digital Providers Group and IPTV Operators Group**** | Sought permanent waiver, noting that certain members use Motorola's Next Level video platform, while others use IPTV to service small and rural markets. Argued that systems use proprietary network interfaces that do not, and will not, be able to comply with mandate. Costs to comply, they argued, would cause them to abandon the video market | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
San Bruno Municipal Cable | Sought waiver for the Motorola DCT700. | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
Suddenlink Communications (Cequel Communications LLC) | Sought waiver on Motorola DCT700, DCT2500e; Scientific Atlanta Explorer 1840, Explorer 940, and Explorer 3200; and Pace Micro "Chicago" DCT501p and "Indiana" DC511p. Argued that existing STB suppliers had not offered any "binding commitments" to deliver CableCARD devices in time for July 2007 deployment. MSO suggested that, at a minimum, it should be granted a waiver until either the end of 2009 or until DCAS can be deployed. | Denied waiver request, noting that integrated set-tops are not necessary for the launch of new or improved services. FCC has deferred enforcement until Sept. 1, 2007. Agency also allows operator to amend original request. |
Sunflower Broadband (The World Company) | Sought waiver on Motorola DCT700 box, and requested that FCC clarify whether refurbished integrated boxes acquired on the used equipment market qualify as "new" navigation devices and are therefore not subject to the integration ban. Supplemental filing committed Sunflower to migrate to all-digital by Dec. 31, 2008, but with plans to offer "limited analog simulcast services consisting primarily of broadcast stations." | Denied waiver request, noting that integrated set-tops are not necessary for the launch of new or improved services. FCC has deferred enforcement until Sept. 1, 2007. If able to document that STB vendors will be unable to fill orders for compliant devices by Sept. 1, 2007, Sunflower Broadband may file for a limited extension, "but we do not expect to routinely grant such requests," FCC said. |
Verizon | Sought waiver and extended use of Motorola-made "QIP" series set-tops with embedded security. Also seeking implementation of "truly interoperable downloadable conditional access system" that will comply with new security rules. | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
Volcano Vision Inc. | Asserted it had enough set-tops in inventory for migration to all-digital. Argued that it would strand about $500,000 in set-tops if not granted a waiver. | Granted temporary Omnibus waiver*. |
There are also a number of other waiver and deferral requests still pending. If you are aware of one that's not on this list, please drop me a line posthaste.
— Jeff Baumgartner, Site Editor, Cable Digital News
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