AllVid proponents: Cable's innovations aren't enough

Industry comments on the Federal Communications Commission's proposed rulemaking for the AllVid open set-top box standard have poured in recently, with the NCTA and cable TV operators basically saying AllVid is unnecessary.

Proponents and opponents have been responding to each other's comments in recent weeks, and the comments from consumer electronics interests that have much to gain from AllVid aren't any more surprising. The AllVid Tech Company Alliance noted that cable TV device and application innovations like the iPad TV viewing apps aren't enough to ensure a fully open and competitive marketplace.

Essentially, AllVid supporters are saying this is the cable TV industry's Carterphone moment, when consumers need to be freed from leasing access devices from network operators. Is the comparison valid?

For more:
- read this Multichannel News story

Related articles:
NCTA president Michael Powell urged the FCC not to pursue AllVid
The AllVid battle has been brewing since last year