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FCC Chairman Kicking Cable and Wireless Ass in 2008
The initials F-C-C don't usually engender excitement, but at least according to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, it's ground zero for most of the broadcasting, wireless and high-bandwidth landline innovations we'll see in the next couple years. Martin spilled on everything from the 700MHz auction to a rumoured DirecTV/Dish network merger. (Seriously.) They covered a lot of stuff, here's the Cliff's Notes:
700 MHz auction and analog-to-digital TV switchover
• Martin says the neat stuff he saw at CES last year led in part to the 700MHz auction open-access rules
• He thinks it's "possible" we'll see 700MHz devices within a year—which is why the "hard" analog cutoff date of Feb. 19, 2009 is important
• Speaking of, the cutoff date is engraved in frickin' stone, people—no extensions
• He has no interest in "any particular company winning," just wants someone to make the minimum bid that would enforce open access
• Regarding big bidder Verizon, Martin said it "may win" the auction (Freudian slip?)
• Since poor broadband penetration in rural areas is the main reason we're so far behind Asia, the 700MHz will serve as a good bridge, and might even become the new broadband platform
Cable
• Neither Martin nor CEA chief Gary Shapiro have any love for cable—no wonder the FCC's been reaming them
• "We've seen a significant decrease in prices" in everything the FCC regulates except cable—that's gonna change
• It is "critical" that consumer-electronic devices are able to attach to cable networks and do two-way communication without a set-top box (i.e., two-way CableCARD is mandatory)
• Proposed pay-per-channel cable is a "real market solution" to cable sucking balls and "I'm doing everything I can" to make it happen
• Independent content providers such as NFL Network need to be able to get their shows on cable
Comcast's Alleged Blockage of BitTorrent
• He's going to investigate it (FCC investigates "all complaints") and make sure no one is being blocked from access in a "discriminatory way"
• If a company engaged in "reasonable network practice" for traffic management they should be honest about it
Satellite Radio and TV
• The FCC will look at XM and Sirius merger proposal "soon," but "isn't sure" it'll clear all the hurdles—awaiting on Department of Justice
• Regarding a potential, but by no means proposed, merger of DirecTV and Dish, he doesn't know whether the XM-Sirius thing would set a precedent; at the bare minimum they'd have to enforce the same price protection XM and Sirius are proposing
Broadband Penetration
• "We've done some very significant steps over the last three years" toward increasing the options for broadband—in particular letting telcos get into IPTV so they'd invest in fibre optic pipes; busting up cable apartment contracts, etc.
• Wants to redefine the term "broadband" to higher speeds—200Kbps is not broadband and people are getting hosed
DRM
• "We need to make sure that consumers have fair use, reasonable expectations" that they can "copy things and use them themselves" which is "not only fair but important, and we need to continue to protect that."
• "I do believe that fair use" and protecting what "consumers are able to do in their home on their devices" is the "guiding principle," and that's a "reasonable and fair" expectation
In sum, more openness, more competition, more consumer protections—in theory. It could be a great year for us across the board at the expense of closed industries, particularly cable and wireless. I actually feel like the government is working for us for a change.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
92BuickLeSabre
Posted 9:38 PM 8/1/08
No $#!+? Nice recap. Good info.
92BuickLeSabre
apt94jesse
Posted 9:30 PM 8/1/08
anyone beats that damn Michael Powell. This is a much better focus than making sure Janet Jackson's boobies dont get any airtime.
apt94jesse
something_unique_and_descriptive
Posted 9:28 PM 8/1/08
What is this feeling I've got? It's sort of warm and fuzzy... My God, I think it might be, yes, it might just be hope. For the first time in my life a US government agency is talking about doing something that might actually help the average consumer.
If anybody sees Mr. Martin give him a cookie.
something_unique_and_descriptive
tutelary
Posted 9:23 PM 8/1/08
Why isn't someone this straight forward running for president?
tutelary
Stacky Botrus
Posted 9:06 PM 8/1/08
Just pass the fucking satellite radio merger already you asshole.
Stacky Botrus
MrBlahBlah
Posted 8:59 PM 8/1/08
i love this guy. i'm relieved that at least someone in a position of power is pro-consumer
MrBlahBlah
qbrad
Posted 8:48 PM 8/1/08
Wow. IMHO must be taken with a grain of salt. I mean, this is still the Dubya admin we're talking about. However, if it's true -- any of it really, it looks like this man is a fine gentleman and deserves respect. I hope to take him at his word.
qbrad
drewheyman
Posted 10:41 PM 8/1/08
@Stacky Botrus:
double agree.
if these companies don't merge soon, then in 5 years, satellite radio will no longer exist.
drewheyman
jmckee
Posted 10:33 PM 8/1/08
To be honest I'd be far less opposed to a Dish/DirecTV merger than the Sirius/XM merger. When/if Sirius and XM merge there will be no other options to consumers for similar services in the near term.
Dish/DirecTV is a different issue, the cable companies with relatively easy network upgrades will literately be swimming in bandwidth and the face competition from both sat, fiber, internet, and telco delivered television.
The costs for DirecTV to compete by launching new sats and replacing setup boxes is astronomical (no pun intended), if anything I think allowing them to combine their bandwidth and resources would benefit by providing a more viable alternative to cable/fiber/internet delivered service.
jmckee
rcorrino
Posted 10:16 PM 8/1/08
If this is true...
hoo wah...
If not...
Well, its not we're not used to lies from these people....
rcorrino
MB
Posted 9:56 PM 8/1/08
If any of you believe that Kevin Martin is pro-consumer, I've got a bridge in DC I'd like to sell you. And Kevin Martin, straight-forward? The same guy that announced a public hearing on media consolidation a few days before the actual hearing, and then immediately rolled out proposed rules that completely ignored what 99% of the public said? They same guy that's never seen a merger he couldn't approve? That Kevin Martin?
C'mon guys. More analysis and less regurgitation.
MB
monstergoc
Posted 11:50 PM 8/1/08
I think a House Sub Committee is going to Kick Mr. Martins Ass...
Enjoy your Job while you have one mate..
h*tp://online.wsj.com/article/SB119982972316175627.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
monstergoc
eNNtOXX
Posted 11:21 PM 8/1/08
point taken, concerned about rural areas receiving access? DRM topic is by far my fave :} i would love to see the govy screw verizon & comcast, preferably both at the same time & post it online for all to see. seriously, those guys think like commie dictators...
eNNtOXX
Shockage
Posted 11:12 PM 8/1/08
holy shit yes.... at least one gov agency is[hopefully] kicking ass this year
Shockage
wolfsingleton
Posted 10:57 PM 8/1/08
Alot of trash getting talked, but will anything be followed through on? I'm gonna sit back and believe only what ACTUALLY HAPPENS.
wolfsingleton
deedrit
Posted 10:50 PM 8/1/08
"...broadband penetration..."
Yes!
deedrit
bobide
Posted 1:41 AM 9/1/08
it will take years, but I'm comforted by where he stands right now.
bobide
allenjnl
Posted 1:08 AM 9/1/08
I'm not drinking this koolaid just yet, government weenies making promises we can't force them to follow through on are a dime a dozen. When some of this stuff actually gets done, then I'll give the guy props. Until then, just another bureaucratic hot air release...
allenjnl
TNTBW
Posted 3:19 AM 9/1/08
I would be happy to see a choice for broadband internet, and no, DSL don't count, for gaming anyway. When I can tell Comcast cable to kiss my ass, that will be a good day indeed.
TNTBW
HKLV
Posted 4:11 AM 9/1/08
The FCC's KM is smooth... knows how to sell whatever he wants. But, past that culitvated cool-guy charisma, he's hard line all the way.
Watch him testify before Congress (on "market-driven" issues like cross-media ownership) before you buy in.
Giz guys: You're first to rag on product BS when you see it. Question people you cover as carefully as you watch gadgets.
HKLV
MB
Posted 8:16 AM 9/1/08
Oh, on the promises of better broadband penetration. Check out Bruce Kushnick's Teletruth.com site. He does an excellent job (clear and well support) of laying out how many times the public has paid the RBOCs (old Bell telephone companies) for universal broadband, yet only get the RBOCs coming back and asking for more (in the way of rate hikes, subsidies, protection from competition, etc.).
MB
MikeHinds
Posted 7:56 AM 9/1/08
"I'm from the government - and I'm here to help."
-- Ronald Reagan
MikeHinds
Tush
Posted 11:49 AM 9/1/08
Dish Network and DirecTV merger? Well, no more competition is good for the end consumers... right?
...right?
Tush
Sqube
Posted 11:36 AM 9/1/08
Bah, have you guys been paying attention during this guy's administration?
I couldn't care less about the issues of the day that he's paying lip service to. I'd be interested to see a blog post this time next year where you bring this up, and then tell us which parts he came through on.
Sqube
demonwolf
Posted 10:52 AM 9/1/08
dude I just read that article and my ass doesn't hurt ... is this what freedom feels like?
demonwolf
RalphWiggum
Posted 1:19 PM 9/1/08
I don't care what he says. Actions speak louder than words and I haven't seen a single FCC action in the last few years which would merit praise.
There's no reason in hell they should be blocking the XM/Sirius merger and if they actually do, it'll be the death of both companies.
RalphWiggum
MMcNasby
Posted 2:56 PM 9/1/08
@TUTELARY
"Why isn't someone this straight forward running for president?"
There is - his name is Kucinich. Unfortunately the majority of people in the United States don't like someone so straight forward.
MMcNasby
ContemplativeTwig
Posted 5:15 PM 9/1/08
ah, but what is his net neutrality stance? Thats the one thing that would make me feel all warm inside about this man.
ContemplativeTwig
LastAndLeast
Posted 7:54 PM 9/1/08
I'm afraid MB has it right. This guy takes lying politician to new heights. He was under congressional investigation for abuse of office and lack of transparency. It's bad when other politicians actually think you're a scumbag.
So yeah...don't count on any of this stuff actually happening.
LastAndLeast
tri.bassett
Posted 9:42 PM 9/1/08
meh...
anyone believing any of this crap in an election year should step to the left for immediate sterilization. You are to dumb to breed.
Martin's term will end in January 09. If he can make good on all these initiatives in a year, then his name should be changed to Jesus.
tri.bassett
the_wiggle
Posted 8:30 PM 10/1/08
@TNTBW: a good a day as when i can tell Cox & their endlessly dropping signal to k.m.a.
be nice if even 1/2 of the synopsis comes to pass but i'll not be holing my breath
the_wiggle