Google Fiber Wants Temporary Waiver of Audio Accessibility Rules for STBs

Google Fiber wants out of FCC accessibility rules for its set-top boxes, said a petition for limited waiver posted in docket 12-108 Thursday. It's “only with respect to certain functions required by the rules and only for a limited time,” the petition said. The waiver would apply only to “less frequently used functions” of activating video description, displaying or activating current configuration options, and adjusting caption displays. Google Fiber wants the waiver “until it completes the transition of its more traditional ‘set-top boxes’ to an operating system capable of full compliance” not more than two years: “Since Google Fiber has a limited number of video subscribers to begin with, it expects few if any of its customers to require access to these particular functions.” The leeway “will permit Google Fiber to continue to make audibly accessible the most important and frequently accessed functions without having to retrofit end-of-life equipment,” the company said.