| Contacts: | Jennifer Pareti tel: 703-907-7079 e-mail: jpareti@CE.org |
Meghan Henning tel: 703-907-7654 e-mail: mhenning@CE.org |
CEA DRIVES INDUSTRY CONSENSUS PROPOSAL BRINGING PLUG-AND-PLAY PLAY COMPETITION TO THE MARKET
Plan Offers Consumers Widest Range of Services and Competitive Devices
| Arlington, Virginia | 11/8/2006 |
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) today filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) a consensus proposal to end the stalemate over bringing full-line "plug-and-play" competition to the market for digital consumer devices that work on cable systems.
CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro said today, "Today we are offering a solution that would give consumers the widest choices in both equipment and services. We hope this will be a breakthrough toward a win-win plug-and-play environment that meets all consumer needs."
The elements of the package filed with the FCC today are -
- A letter summarizing a consensus CEA proposal that would allow CE and IT manufacturers to build products equivalent to those so called "lower-end," operator-supplied interactive set-top boxes; and, equally important, offering a way forward toward licensing, and assuring support for competitive devices that are fully interactive with all cable operator services.
- A specific list of technical, licensing and regulatory objectives to resolve outstanding plug-and-play issues that have been under negotiation since early 2003.
- A technical proposal to facilitate enhancements to a new generation of CableCARDS.
Sony Electronics' Executive Vice President Michael T. Williams said, "This proposal, if implemented by the FCC, would create a diverse, competitive market for cable plug-and-play products. It also would finally allow CE and IT companies to provide consumers with the benefits of innovation, competitive pricing and product choice as has long been the intent of Congress and the Commission."
ABOUT CEA:
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer
technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and
strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development,
manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline
communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related
services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $125 billion in
annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive
source for information about the consumer electronics industry. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES
- Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical
training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative
advocacy.