DSTAC Narrows Down to Two Proposals

With a Sept. 4 congressional deadline, the FCC Downloadable Security Technical Advisory Committee has focused on two proposals for technology neutral downloadable security, but remains far from unified, it was revealed at DSTAC's meeting Tuesday. DSTAC efforts coalesced around two rival plans: a pay TV-backed proposal that would use security based on HTML 5 and downloadable apps, and a “virtual head end” system based on link protection backed by members of the Consumer Video Choice Coalition, which includes Public Knowledge and TiVo. The DSTAC doesn't have to choose a winner between the two systems -- its final report will contain both proposals, Chairwoman Cheryl Tritt said. A final draft of the report outlining the proposals will be produced for a vote at the DSTAC's final meeting Aug. 28. The working group reports that will form the basis of the DSTAC's final product are available on the DSTAC homepage.

The proposals backed by TiVo and other coalition members focus on home networking and a security system based on link protection that Adam Goldberg, Public Knowledge's representative on the DSTAC, said would be compatible with multichannel video programming distributor networks, smart TVs and third-party set-top box technology. The proposal would include technology that connects with MVPD networks either via a physical plug or through an IP connection, Goldberg said. The security proposal would be paired with a technology neutral navigation interface that would be able to replace MVPD proprietary interfaces and is intended to be friendly to third-party technology, said Hauppauge Chief Technologist Brad Love.

DSTAC members representing MVPDs argued that some components of this proposal were ill-defined, or incorporated technology that doesn't exist. But Goldberg and Public Knowledge Senior Staff Attorney John Bergmayer said the proposal is intentionally open ended to allow third-party players in the set-top box market to develop technology to take advantage of it. “I believe the system I described is capable of securing content to the satisfaction of the MVPDs," Goldberg said. A “widget” system that would allow MVPDs to offer features like news crawls on the navigation system is also too burdensome, said Comcast Senior Vice President-Industry Affairs Mark Hess. The proposals backed by coalition members don't account for the many licensing and contract agreements that govern MVPD content, said Hess and Dish Network Director-Technology John Card. Developing a system of standards to use the system backed by Public Knowledge and TiVo would take many years, MVPD officials told us.

The MVPD backed proposal pairs an HTML5 based security system with an app-based system to allow third-party competition. Since numerous MVPDs and devices like the Xbox already use HTML 5, the system is very adaptable and easy to implement, said Comcast Vice President Software Architecture Mark Vickers. Meanwhile, the app model allows companies to preserve their user experience on third-party devices, said Davis Wright attorney Paul Glist, representing Cablevision. Apps are easily updated and allow MVPDs to preserve all their licensing agreements and regulatory obligations, Glist said. An app model prevents competition rather than encouraging it, said TiVo Chief Technology Officer Joseph Weber. An app model is essentially the status quo, Weber and Bergmayer said. “We should not look at an approach that goes backwards,” Weber said.

Though the final report will focus on the two main proposals, it will also contemplate two proposals that switch the navigation/interface portions with the security systems, pairing Goldberg's link protection system with the app model and the HTML 5 security with the home networking interface proposal. “Had the shot clock not run out, there might have been some fruit borne from that,” said Charter Communications CTO Jay Rolls.

After the final report is approved by the full DSTAC at its Aug. 28 meeting, it will go to the eighth floor, an FCC official told us. That will fulfill the mandate of the Satellite Television Extension and Localization Reauthorization Act, the official said. STELAR doesn't require the FCC to issue an NPRM or take other action after the Sept. 4 deadline.