Cable TV set-top box security company Beyond Broadband...
Cable TV set-top box security company Beyond Broadband Technology (BBT) urged the FCC to encourage companies developing downloadable set-top box security systems to use “simulcrypt” technology, in an April 30 meeting with staff from Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel’s office, said an…
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ex parte letter (http://bit.ly/1133sxL) filed with the FCC Thursday. BBT Director-Strategic Communications Stephen Effros said that his company believes pushing simulcrypt is the only way for the FCC to make sure that downloadable security takes hold and supplants CableCARDs. Simulcrypt security systems allow the same encrypted signal to be decrypted by both newer downloadable security devices and CableCARDs, Effros said. “Until the problem of legacy equipment in systems not empowered to institute simulcrypt is resolved, the barrier to entry of any new technology is almost insurmountable,” said Effros in the ex parte. Effros said in an interview that his meeting with FCC staff was a reaction the commission’s April 18 order granting a two-year waiver of CableCARD rules to Charter Communications (CD April 22 p3). Effros praised the FCC’s order granting the waiver, but said the commission should go further and call on Charter and other companies developing downloadable security to only work with simulcrypt. “The design and development of downloadable security set top boxes through promotion of simulcrypt allowing their introduction in legacy systems is the most likely way to encourage competition in the manufacture of equipment,” said Effros. CEA, which asked the FCC to ensure that Charter supports CableCARDs while under the waiver, declined to comment.