From: frank.kennedy@u2u.lonestar.org (Frank Kennedy) 
Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite
Subject: FCC Docket           2/15
Date: 4 Jan 93 22:32:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: USER-TO-USER PCBoard (214)492-6565 (USR DS v32bis)
Reply-To: frank.kennedy@u2u.lonestar.org (Frank Kennedy) 

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          information.  Consumers of video services are rightfully concerned

          about the potential consequences of the pressure now being

          exerted on the FCC by giant corporations eager to introduce

          digital video technology.  The recent announcement by the largest

          cable systems owner, Telecommunications, Inc. (TCI) of plans to

          construct digital systems providing 500 channels of programming,

          using compression technology developed by AT&T and GIC, is just

          one example of the dramatic and turbulent changes taking place.







           1. PETITION FOR INOUIRY/HEARING submitted by the Consumer
           Satellite Coalition, July 1, 1991.
              CSC is not against technological innovation that  would

          expand program options and improve picture quality.  However, CSC

          and its members would object to and resist the authorization  of

          digital equipment that obsoleted existing television  reception

          systems.  CSC believes that a careful FCC review of  proposed

          digital technologies, resulting in standards and policy,  is

          necessary to ensure that digital systems are affordable to  the

          American consumer.


          II.  THE CABLE TELEVISION CONSUMER PROTECTION AND COMPETITION ACT
          OF 1992


               The new Cable Television Act reflects the enormous

          frustration that cable television consumers have faced in recent

          years.  As then Congressman C. Thomas McMillen stated, "the lack

          of competition and the subsequent abuse in the cable industry was

          the driving force behind the legislation."2

               CSC finds quite significant the greater responsibility given

          the Commission in the Cable Act for bringing about effective

          competition.  Specifically, after a decade of unregulated mergers

          and concentration in the cable industry, the Cable Act of  1992

          directs the FCC to conduct an in-depth proceeding intended to

          result in policies limiting excess control.3

              Whatever actions are taken by the Commission are likely  to

          have a significant impact on HSD consumers.  A section of the

          Cable Act of particular interest requires the commission  to






          2. Keynote address by C. Thomas McMillen to the Satellite
          Broadcasting and Communication Association,
          August 7, 1992.

          3. Cable Act of 1992, Sec. 11(c) Limitations on Ownership, Control,
          and Utilization; Commission Regulations.
          establish regulations concerning the relationship of cable

          operators and other multichannel program distributors.4 This

          will, for the first time, guarantee fair competition in  video

          program distribution, and offer HSD owners wider access to
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Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite