ACA Seeks FCC Help to Encrypt Basic

The American Cable Association last week told the Federal Communications Commission that half of the respondents to an ACA poll said they would not encrypt basic service if it meant having to do so under the FCC's proposal. In discussions with FCC officials last week, Ross Lieberman, ACA VP of government affairs, brought along a survey of 107 members that indicated half of the operators currently operating digital systems or planning to convert would not be able to afford to encrypt under the FCC's proposal. ACA has argued in earlier filings that among the problems are the cost of boxes to smaller operators, who must provide free boxes to some households per FCC conditions.