Inside The Beltway 11/29/12

Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Communications and Technology listened to testimony from Brian Markwalter, vice president at the Consumer Electronics Association; Ron Repasi, deputy chief of the Federal Communications Commission‘s Office of Engineering and Technology; and Pierre de Vries, a fellow at the University of Colorado, Boulder; regarding its idea to impose more stringent spectrum standards on receivers as Congress mulls granting more wireless broadband space. According to Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.), “Spectrum is essential to jobs, technology, and the economy. The demand for spectrum, however, is quickly outpacing the usable supply. As part of the subcommittee’s ongoing conversation on making smarter use of spectrum, we will discuss the role of receivers and examine how we can stay flexible while preparing for the next generation of innovation and advancement”…Regarding the FCC’s decision to provide small cable operators an additional three months to come into compliance with the recordable, IP-based output requirement for HD set-top boxes beyond the 18-month extension granted to the entire industry, American Cable Association President/CEO Matthew M. Polka noted, “The ACA applauds the FCC for recognizing that smaller operators have historically had difficulty complying with equipment mandates when facing the same deadline as larger operators. The FCC’s decision is an excellent example of smart public policy, and ACA commends the FCC for granting an 18-month extension to the entire industry as well.”