LAS VEGAS — Comcast Corp. chairman and chief executive Brian Roberts made a big splash as a keynote speaker Tuesday morning at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show, only to learn a few hours later that government regulators would investigate complaints against his company.
Kevin Martin, Federal Communications Commission chairman, said during a talk at CES that the commission would look into whether the cable company actively interferes with Internet traffic as its subscribers try to share files online.
“Sure, we’re going to investigate and make sure that no consumer is going to be blocked,” Martin said.
Martin’s remarks followed a speech by Roberts in which he announced that the cable industry would open its set-top box technology to allow electronics manufacturers to make TVs and other devices that will work across all providers.
Named tru2way, the platform utilizes the Java programming language, Derek Harrar, senior vice president and general manager of video services for Comcast, said Monday.
“It will allow for much faster innovation on applications,” he said. “Manufacturers can develop devices on that platform, so you can have your cable content on any device, anywhere.”
One way tru2way can be used is in TV sets. Sets utilizing the platform would not need to be connected to a set-top box to take advantage of Comcast’s services.
The open platform was previously known as OCAP, or OpenCable. It was developed by Louisville-based CableLabs.
Comcast is also undertaking a new long-term mission, named “Project Infinity,” Harrar said, where consumers will have an infinite choice of content on their TVs. Comcast will expand its video-on-demand offering and enhance a user’s TV experience by providing content typically found on the Web on the TV.
Despite the advances, the FCC is looking to rein in the nation’s largest pay-TV provider. Martin has been at odds with the cable industry over topics such as a la carte programming and the continued rise in cable rates.
He said his office would respond to complaints after a coalition of consumer groups and legal scholars asked the agency in November to stop Comcast from discriminating against certain types of data.
Comcast said that it doesn’t block websites or online applications, including file-sharing networks.
“Comcast plans to work with the commission in its desire to bring more transparency for consumers regarding broadband network management,” said David L. Cohen, executive vice president for Comcast.
At the same time, other companies are competing to gain the eyes of viewers. Microsoft’s “DVR anywhere” set-top box device will allow people to view all of their DVR content on any TV in the house.
“It’s a competitive service. People are spending a lot of money on TVs. They really want the TV to be more than a piece of glass on the wall,” said Paula Reinman, director of outbound marketing for Microsoft’s Connected TV division.
Microsoft’s set-top box technology is being used to power boxes for telecommunications companies offering video, such as AT&T and Vodafone in Europe.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Kimberly S. Johnson: 303-954-1088 or kjohnson@denverpost.com
Fancy gizmos at CES
• Touch-screen and voice-activated controls are making their way into cars, including systems that let people make phone calls, navigate, choose music and have e-mails read to them without fumbling for manual controls.
• A new technology would show what’s being said on the radio using a receiver with a screen that would scroll text much like closed captions roll by on TV. It is backed by National Public Radio and Harris Corp., a major supplier of broadcasting equipment.
• New global positioning system devices can plumb the Internet for the latest movie times, news headlines, stock figures and gas prices. They’ll even help you skirt traffic, find a parking spot or make a phone call. Oh, and they’ll navigate for you, too.
The Associated Press
