Late-breaking news that former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Michael Powell will lead the cable industry's trade association heads today's industry roundup.
During his tenure at the FCC, Powell, the son of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, played a key role in keeping cable modem services classified under the less stringent Title I (information services) banner. Powell takes the reins at NCTA as the industry deals with the FCC's new (but challenged) net neutrality rules, the execution of its National Broadband plan, possible retrans reform, and the specter of "AllVid" rules that could prove especially troublesome for cable. (See FCC Reexamines Retrans Rules, Cable: FCC's AllVid Goes Too Far and Net Neutrality Rules in Jeopardy.)
More changes up top at BigBand Networks Inc. (Nasdaq: BBND), as Ran Oz, a company founder, steps down from the board and as CTO. Oz, who is reducing his role in order to spend more time with his family, stays on to advise the CEO and BigBand's tech strategy. SVP of Corporate Development and Strategic Planning Rajive Dhar says there is no immediate plan to hire a new CTO, but that the Office of The CTO, currently made up of three execs, will report to him. BigBand also appointed Erez Rosen to its board. (See BigChanges at BigBand .)
As U.S. pay-TV providers deploy set-tops with software that can track the viewing history of subscribers, look for them to add recommendation engines to interactive program guides like the one Deutsche Telekom AG (NYSE: DT) rolled out for its IPTV service.
Can't think of a less impresive individual off the top of my head. The cable lobby must be desperate to have someone who was formerly seen as a telecom toadie.
It may show how big a deal the cable lobby thinks net neutrality and other issues on the FCC's plate will be. Powell seems to get along well with the current commission.
I could not agree with you more Phil. Oh how I enjoyed hearing Howard Stern absolutely dominate MP live on air back in what 2004? Actually I just listened to the clip again. Classic.
I remember that Stern call. It was a classic ambush and Stern chased Powell right off the air.
If we recall all that was going wrong with competition in media and the fact that the US had no broadband agenda, it seems Powell was largely at the FCC to train as a dinner speaker.
Can't think of a less impresive individual off the top of my head. The cable lobby must be desperate to have someone who was formerly seen as a telecom toadie.