ACA Statement On FCC's Digital Basic Tier Encryption Order

In an Oct. 15 statement, American Cable Association President and CEO Matthew M. Polka responded to the Federal Communications Commission's decision to remove the ban on cable operator encryption of the digital basic service tier.

"The FCC's decision is a true win-win for consumers and cable operators, especially providers of cable service in high-cost rural areas. ACA expects at least some of its members to take advantage of this ruling soon after it takes effect,” Polka said.

The FCC’s action, announced Oct. 12, was unanimous among the five commissioners.

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Congratulations to the winners and honorable mentions of the Communications Technology Platinum Awards held on Oct. 17 at the Rosen Plaza hotel in conjunction with the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. This industry event recognized outstanding broadband-technology products and services used by voice, video and data providers along with the top of marketing campaigns aimed at increasing subscribership.

• 2012 System of the Year: Massillon Cable TV Inc.
• The 2012 "Best Skunkworks" Award: Massillon Cable TV Inc.
• SCTE IP Challenge: Bradford Chatterjee of Cable One

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• Dish Network Pays $700M, Settles Disputes With AMC and Cablevision (The Wrap, 10/21)
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• News Corp Says Reports Of Talks With LA Times, Tribune Are False (Terra, 10/20)
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• Connecticut Cablevision Customers May Not See World Series If Dispute With Tribune Isn't Resolved (Litchfield County Times, 10/18)
  Cablevision subscribers in the region, already battered by the loss of Fox Sports, will also be shut out from seeing the World Series baseball games if Cablevision and the Tribune Company don’t resolve their elongated dispute before Wednesday.
• AT&T Sounds Alarm Over Sprint's Clearwire Deal (The Hill, 10/18)
  AT&T is urging regulators to take a close look at Sprint's recent deals with Softbank and Clearwire.

For more ACA News visit the Newsroom on the ACA Website.

Across this vast country, small and rural markets participate in the digital revolution by receiving video, broadband, and phone services from nearly 850 small and medium-sized independent operators represented by the American Cable Association (ACA).

ACA’s members -- cable, phone, and fiber-to-the-home operators and municipalities -- deliver affordable basic and advanced services to about 7.4 million households and businesses. ACA members operate in every state, offering high-definition television, next generation Internet access, and digital phone service.

Access to advanced communications is not a luxury but a critical necessity for consumers and companies, schools and hospitals. America’s economic prosperity in smaller markets and rural areas depends on the growth and success of ACA members, who believe a connected nation, is a united nation.

The ACA asks lawmakers and regulators to ensure fair treatment so that small and medium-sized independent operators may continue to supply affordable video, broadband, and phone services to Main Street America. Through active participation in the policymaking process, ACA members and leaders advocate for the interests of their customers, their companies, and their communities to help ensure the continued viability of their way of life in hometown America.

For more information, visit www.americancable.org, or contact:

• Ted Hearn, VP Communications
  (202) 713-0826 | thearn@americancable.org
• Ross Lieberman, VP Government Affairs
  (202) 494-5661 | rlieberman@americancable.org

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