Markey Pushes For All-Vid, CableCARD Fixes

In a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski, Rep Ed markey writes that the cable set-top box is not as "smart" or available as it should be and the FCC needs to rectify that, including by making MVPD's install video gateway devices in all new homes and for all replacement installs as of the end of 2012.

Rep Markey wrote that the failure of the CableCARD regime to spur that marketplace was because it was unwieldy and not competitively priced. Markey wants the FCC to ensure that CableCARDs can be self-installed without the need for additional equipment. rep Markey also wants the commission to launch a proceeding "to make progress" toward a simple, inexpensive gateway device that unites Internet and cable content. Again, he was essentially adding his imprimatur to a process already underway. The FCC has launched an inquiry into that all-video device, though it has not yet moved to a rulemaking.