NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
June 29, 2007 Mary Diamond, 202-418-2388
Email: mary.diamond@fcc.gov 
Media Bureau Acts on Requests for Waiver of Rules on Integrated Set-Top Boxes 
Today the Media Bureau has resolved various set-top box waiver requests, furthering 
both pro-competition and pro-consumer policies.  These issues have been facing cable operators, 
the consumer electronics industry and the Commission for more than a decade.  
The Bureau's actions today implement the statutory requirements to facilitate a 
competitive market for set-top boxes in a reasonable and consistent manner. Separation of 
security functions will allow consumers to pick the products they want.   
The FCC’s Media Bureau today: 
Granted an Omnibus Waiver of the integration ban for MVPDs currently all digital or 
going all digital by February 17, 2009. An all-digital conversion will facilitate the DTV 
transition, enable expanded service offerings, promote efficient use of the spectrum, deliver 
broadband services, spur competitive entry, and expand universal service.
Deferred Enforcement of the Integration Ban for Crosslake, Minnesota d/b/a Crosslake 
Communications. The Media Bureau noted the difficulties that small cable operators may face 
in complying with the July 1, 2007 deadline for separated security because manufacturers 
prioritize orders from the largest providers.  The Bureau indicated that the Commission would 
defer enforcement of that deadline for those small cable operators who can demonstrate that they 
have placed orders for set-top boxes that comply but that their orders will not be fulfilled in time 
for them to comply with the deadline.
The Bureau denied the broad waiver requests of several cable operators but provided several 
ways they could amend their requests.
Denied NCTA’s (National Cable & Telecommunications Association)
request for a waiver of the integration ban for all cable operators. The Bureau finds the 
arguments NCTA’s makes are not adequately novel or changed from assertions that it has made 
to support previous extension requests to justify further relief and it does not reflect 
developments in the market. 
Media Bureau Staff Contact:  Andrew Long [202] 418-1043
-FCC-