Motorola executives recently lobbied FCC Chmn. Powell and Comrs. ...

Motorola executives recently lobbied FCC Chmn. Powell and Comrs. Ness and Furchtgott-Roth to get rid of Commission’s Jan. 1, 2005, deadline for cable operators to stop offering integrated cable set-top boxes, according to ex parte filings. Meeting with Powell, Ness, Furchtgott-Roth and their cable advisers Jan. 29, Motorola officials argued that deadline should be eliminated so consumers could “continue to have the option of leasing lower cost equipment” from MSOs. Noting that ban was enacted when it appeared that integrated set-top boxes (STBs) couldn’t be sold at retail, they also contended that there now were “multiple business models, including Motorola’s new line of retail-only STBs with embedded security, advanced functionality and POD slots.” Motorola officials also pressed Powell, Ness and Furchtgott-Roth not to move up 2005 deadline, arguing that “would have no positive effect on retail sale of STBs and would negatively impact consumers.” Despite CE retailers’ claims of incomplete cable set- top standards and unfair competition, company officials said “Open Cable specs are sufficient to allow competitors to offer full function STBs.” They also said retailers’ complaints “are motivated by their desire for a larger, monthly revenue stream.”