A recent federal mandate is changing the internal security requirements for cable company set-top boxes, moving consumers closer to choosing their own set-top box, independent of their television cable provider.
The Federal Communications Commission has required that all new set-top boxes distributed to digital-cable consumers on or after July 1 have what is known as “separable security,” or a two-pronged system of operation.
Currently, there’s technology embedded in set-top boxes that decodes digital signals to enable television viewing. The mandate requires that the decoding happen in tandem with a small device known as a CableCard when it is inserted into the set-top box.
CableCards have been available for a few years and are inserted into newer television sets or DVRs that are CableCard-ready.
Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association, said the mandate helps bring additional choice to consumers, as they become less reliant on leasing set-top boxes from their cable providers.
“Soon consumers will be offered the widest choices in both equipment and services,” Shapiro said in a written statement.
Wider consumer choice in equipment suppliers is one of the mandates of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Right now, cable customers who receive new set-top boxes won’t be able to remove the Cable Card and place it in another device, such as a CableCard-ready TV.
But eventually consumers will be able to buy their own set-top boxes or DVRs from retailers and install a CableCard they receive from their cable providers.
The FCC is not mandating these changes for satellite customers. Changes don’t affect analog-cable customers.
Louisville-based CableLabs helped test and develop some technology behind the cards.
Several cable companies, including Comcast, had asked the FCC for a waiver on the July 1 deadline. Comcast’s request was denied, although smaller companies such as Bresnan Communications received waivers. Those companies have until later this year to comply with the FCC mandate.
Comcast Colorado spokeswoman Cindy Parsons said Comcast is abiding by the mandate.
Staff writer Kimberly S. Johnson can be reached at 303-954-1088 or kjohnson@denverpost.com.
