markofmayhemI can haz competition?Premium
join:2004-04-08
Pittsburgh, PA
kudos:4 | reply to really a
Re: Why is cablecard so expensive ? FCC, NCTA, CableLabs, and the CEA.
You can't own the CableCard. The CableCard is a piece of property owned, licensced, and under exclusive use of CableLabs. Negotiations between CableLabs, it's partnership (most cable companies, Verzion, Echostar, and other members), the CEA, and compliance with FCC regulations as put into law through the 1996 Telecom Act prohibit a consumer from purchasing the seperable security device. Before CableCard, CableLabs prohibited a consumer from purchasing the integrated security device (in the states, Canada was different).
It's expensive because it can be. 4 TV's for, around $6 a month, correct? Is there any competitor close to charging that little? I would imagine as PVR, HTPC, and full service TV's come online, the CableCard fee will go up, not down. |
