FCC Chairman Threatens DTV Ultimatum - Report
By Martin Stone, Newsbytes
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A.,
07 Jan 2000, 7:46 AM CST
The chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an
ultimatum to broadcasters and manufacturers that says they must come up with
a plan to deliver interactive digital television to consumers by April, or face
regulation.
According to a report in today's New York Times, FCC Chairman William E. Kennard made his
clearest statement so far concerning the government's role in guiding the future of digital television
and chastised the industry for creating obstructions that have slowed the rollout of digital TV for
five years.
Speaking at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Kennard said that many companies
have developed interactive high-definition TV and some are being offered at prices expected to
prove attractive to consumers, but none can be plugged into cable, the most commonly-used
delivery medium, the article said.
Kennard blamed industry wrangling over technology compatibility standards for the various
equipment, and piracy issues, and warned industry leaders that, "Your time and our patience are
running out. The commission has tried to let you solve this problem. We have been goading and
nagging. But so far you have not finished the job," the Times quotes him as saying.
Kennard stated that he is ready to instruct the FCC to issue guidelines to ensure technological
compatibility and speed availability of enhanced TV to the American public.
Reported by Newsbytes.com, newsbytes.com .
07:46 CST |
