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FCC RIN: 3060-AG28 Publication ID: Spring 2009 
Title: Competitive Availability of Navigation Devices (CS Docket No. 97-80) 
Abstract: The Commission has adopted rules to address the mandate expressed in section 629 of the Communications Act to ensure the commercial availability of "navigation devices," the equipment used to access video programming and other services from multichannel video programming systems. Specifically, in 1998, the Commission required MVPDs to make available by July 1, 2000, a security element separate from the basic navigation device (e.g., cable set-top boxes, digital video recorders, and television receivers with navigation capabilities). The separation of the security element from the host device required by this rule (referred to as the “integration ban”) was designed to enable unaffiliated manufacturers, retailers, and other vendors to commercially market host devices while allowing MVPDs to retain control over their system security. MVPDs were permitted to continue providing equipment with integrated security until January 1, 2005, so long as modular security components, known as point-of-deployment modules, were also made available for use with host devices obtained through retail outlets. In April 2003, in response to requests from cable operators, the Commission extended the effective date of the integration ban until July 1, 2006. Then, in 2005, again at the urging of cable operators, the Commission extended that date until July 1, 2007. Also, in this proceeding, in April 2003, the Commission adopted unidirectional "plug and play" rules, to govern compatibility between MVPDs and navigation devices manufactured by consumer electronics manufacturers not affiliated with cable operators. In June 2007, the Commission solicited comment on proposed standards to ensure bidirectional compatibility of cable television systems and consumer electronics equipment. 
Agency: Federal Communications Commission(FCC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 47 CFR 76   
Legal Authority: 47 USC 549   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  03/05/1997  62 FR 10011   
R&O  07/15/1998  63 FR 38089   
Order on Recon  06/02/1999  64 FR 29599   
FNPRM & Declaratory Ruling  09/28/2000  65 FR 58255   
FNPRM  01/16/2003  68 FR 2278   
Order and FNPRM  06/17/2003  68 FR 35818   
Second R&O   11/28/2003  68 FR 66728   
FNPRM  11/28/2003  68 FR 66776   
Order on Recon  01/28/2004  69 FR 4081   
Second R&O  06/22/2005  70 FR 36040   
Third FNPRM  07/25/2007  72 FR 40818   
Next Action Undetermined  To Be Determined    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Agency Contact:
Brendan Murray
Attorney Advisor, Policy Division
Federal Communications Commission
Media Bureau, 445 12th Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20554
Phone:202 418-1573
Email: brendan.murray@fcc.gov