FCC proposal could intensify TV box makers' rivalry

The era of the set-top box is over, according to officials at the US Federal Communications Commission, announcing a proposal to open up competition for delivering pay-TV services.

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aims to let any system or application access pay-TV streams, putting an end to the high cost of renting set-top boxes currently defined and provided by pay-TV providers. The proposal would require service providers to choose open formats defined by industry standard groups to describe how to access their programs, program guides and security requirements.

The FCC will vote on the proposal on February 18. After a period for public comment, the FCC would schedule a final vote at a time not yet determined.

The move is the latest of many stretching over decades to enable an open market for set-tops, which carriers typically rent to users as part of their service. The rental fees are out of proportion to hardware’s value, and content can now be managed and protected in software, the FCC said.

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See a comparison table of selected Android-based set-top box suppliers on GlobalSources.com