Verizon to the FCC: We're not down with tru2way

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Aug 2nd 2008 at 5:37PM

Finally, a multi-system operator that see this whole two-way CableCARD problem the same way we do. Don't get us wrong, we want to get rid of our providers STB as much as the next, but the way we see it is tru2way isn't that great, but is better than nothing. Just like Verizon, we'd like to see "a cable-centric approach to interactive connectivity [that] does not inhibit technological innovation... or disadvantage other segments of the video marketplace." Or in other words, having the choice of what hardware that we may use on our provider's network isn't good enough, we want to choose the software too. While the rest of the cable industry thinks tru2way is open, we think it is about as open as AOL Internet access was-- so yeah, it's a walled garden. The other thing that really hit home with us about Verizon's statement, was that it thinks the approved solution should be an "all-provider" solution, meaning it should be the same no matter if the provider uses coax, fiber, copper or satellite to deliver services. We couldn't agree more, and would love nothing more than to be able to use an HD TiVo (for example) on any provider we wanted without being forced to give up any features such as HD or VOD.

Filed under: Industry, Regulatory, Set-top boxes, Cable, Fiber, Satellite

Tags: CableCARD, FCC, fiber, FiOS, fios tv, FiosTv, tru2way, verizon, Verizon FiOS, VerizonFios

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

J.Goodwin @ Aug 2nd 2008 6:35PM

Of course that's what Verizon wants :D

This would basically open the cable and fiber networks up to the kind of competition that came into telephone a while back (well, in a few areas, then disappeared when all the phone companies merged into either Verizon or Southwestern Bell).

It would probably be more like deregulated electric though.

Fiber run to neighborhoods would be open to all comers. It would be very interesting. You buy your channels from whoever you want (maybe a company that donates 1% of revenues to charity or something).

Neutral

Dan @ Aug 2nd 2008 7:43PM

I'm down with that. That way, the companies have to compete for the customer instead of always being stuck with crappy Qwest or Comcast in my area.

Neutral

Cassini @ Aug 2nd 2008 8:48PM

I agree with Ben's post.

I'd also like to have greater choice (or choice to begin with) in choosing hardware and software, and I'd like to see more competition among SP's.

Neutral

Jyncus @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:53AM

It'll never happen..
The larger cable companies will fight tooth and nail to leave the customer with as little "choice" as possible when it comes to hardware/software options. I'd be happy with whatever software they offer if they would at least invest in upgrading their networking infrastructure to more FTTH like Verizon is doing.

Sadly, even that's too much to ask for -- I predict they'll spend the next decade fighting to inhibit/restrict p2p and anything else that uses any significant amount of their precious bandwidth. Meanwhile, innovation and consumer choice will be long forgotten.

Neutral

umno @ Aug 3rd 2008 9:06AM

LOL, you guys are funny. There's no innovation in tech.

You can't name one truely innovative thing over the last 20 years. It's all just minor improvements of things that have been around forever.

PC gui's are just digital representations of what they all are named "desktops". The internet is just a digital representation of phone books, libraries, and now TVs, video cassettes and home delivery of goods.

You're all just bummed that digital cable isn't unsercure as Satellite is. Or as screwed up as TCP is that allows individuals to use up all the bandwidth any cheap computer can use on a network with P2P type applications.

Thank goodness there are a few people in the world with a lick of common sense in charge.

Neutral

dman @ Aug 3rd 2008 10:42AM

Yeah I hear you... and the written word was just a minor improvement over speech! Give me a break...

In any case, Verizon is saying this as the sore loser. They're not included so they're picking up their marbles and going home. At the end of the day, they want something like this as much as the cable compaines do (read: not at all). They're saying it because there will be no repercussions and blogs that don't take the time to think about whether or not Verizon means this (read: Engadget) will say "yeah, it's about time, way to go Verizon!"

Neutral

ds @ Aug 4th 2008 12:42PM

"You can't name one truely innovative thing over the last 20 years. It's all just minor improvements of things that have been around forever."

This is definitely one of the most ironic and stupid things I have ever read.

Neutral

UnnDunn @ Aug 3rd 2008 11:31AM

Verizon continues to impress me with the way it goes about its FiOS business. I don't have FiOS anymore (moved out of Staten Island), but I'd seriously consider going back to them when they build their network out to my new place in Brooklyn.

Neutral

Jim Mallory @ Aug 3rd 2008 12:57PM

My question who is to provide the support for all this hardware and software? The service provider or the maker of the hardware/software?

DirecTV tried this back in the early 90s...it didn't work. It was a nightmare getting tech support from DirecTV had to tell the Support person what manufacturer and model # STB you had. Half the time, the support person wasn't trained on "your box" yet and you get to wait on hold until they find someone who has. And God help you if your purchased a just released STB as no one would have been trained on it. That is one reason (among many) that DirecTV went to a single manufacturer of STBs.

One UI per provider is really about all you can support.

Neutral

CableTechTalk @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:00PM

Well, yeah. But the selfish way to look at it that the cable industry has spent more than a decade coming up with a set of specifications that would enable interactive applications to be written once and work on any cable system in the country. I know it doesn't make everyone happy, but you have to consider how many different companies and industries are involved in this development. So, now, in 2008, tru2way is heading into development, and CableLabs has said that they think that the telcos can use it too, and Verizon wants the process to start all over from scratch. And what exactly have the telcos developed on their side for this challenge?

Neutral

Jeff Zacharias @ Aug 3rd 2008 5:46PM

I agree with Verizon that there should be a single standard for connecting a box to Cable, Satellite, etc. I don't know about tru2way because it failed as the Cable Card standard, snd it's not that much different. I'm beginning to think that it's just the Cable companies who keep saying things are going to work to keep everybody hoping but never actually produce anything.

Of course I really think we should scrap the whole DVR thing and cable/satellite TV and move quickly to internet based content. Just download what you want when you want it. Free with commercials, paid without commercials. No need to try to catch a video stream at a specific time and store it on your own recording device. No need to deal with a custom cable company on demand service when there are internet standards.

Neutral

CableTechTalk @ Aug 4th 2008 5:20PM

"I don't know about tru2way because it failed as the Cable Card standard, snd it's not that much different."

Jeepers. How many times does this have to be said? Tru2way and CableCARD are not the same thing. Those tu2way devices will have CableCARDs in them.

Neutral

Mark M @ Aug 5th 2008 1:04AM

Love the graphic - you could use a toilet also :)

Neutral

umno @ Aug 8th 2008 5:20PM

If it's so stupid, how come you COULDN'T LIST even ONE thing?

You're like the kid that answers "I know you are but what am I' when they have nothing to really say.

ds @ Aug 4th 2008 12:42PM
"You can't name one truely innovative thing over the last 20 years. It's all just minor improvements of things that have been around forever."

This is definitely one of the most ironic and stupid things I have ever read.

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