FCC Chairman Kevin Martin spoke at CES on Wednesday and made it clear that cable operators shouldn't count on getting waivers of the FCC's July 2007 deadline for the set-top box integration ban. Some of the coverage has suggested that this move is a benefit to consumers, but there is a hitch. I refer you to our Talking Points on the Integration Ban:

The cost to consumers is considerable, while the benefits to consumers who would use those boxes are non-existent. A new technology being developed by the cable industry – downloadable security technology – will soon make this debate moot by enabling cable operators to download the system security software to any set-top box or to a DCAS-enabled digital television purchased at retail.

NCTA reacted to Chairman Martin’s speech with a statement:

"The denial of cable's waiver requests would mean that, starting in July, consumers would be paying a new $600 million tax, costing cable customers another 2-3 dollars per month. It is incomprehensible that the FCC would deny these waiver requests at a time when Congress and the Administration have made the digital transition a national priority and are trying to manage the costs to consumers. We urge the Chairman and the Commission to move in another direction on this issue and grant cable's requests to relieve consumers of this potential burden."