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The appearance of DCAS as a possible future technology has been used as a reason that the FCC should release cable companies from obligations regarding CableCards. [[Verizon FiOS]] wishes to be released from having to support cablecards at all on its network. Cable companies point to DCAS as a reason that they should be released from their obligation to use Cablecards in their devices, as the FCC directed in 1998. The [[Consumer Electronics Association]] representing major Consumer electronics manufacturers disagrees with these applications for waivers pointing to the insubstantiality of the proposal and that Cable companies are notoriously late and half hearted in their support of their own standards, as evidenced by their behavior with their earlier CableCARD proposal. Detractors of DCAS point out the proposal is being used to sow [[fear, uncertainty, and doubt]] in the minds of consumers, CE companies, and the FCC. Consumers are motivated to hold off buying Cablecard devices, CE companies are wondering whether their cablecard technology investments will soon be obsolete, and causes doubt amongst FCC regulators whether they should enforce deadlines and restrictions placed on cable companies regarding CableCARDs. Detractors point to this as the latest in a decade long set of delaying tactics that the cable company has used to avoid compliance with the [[Telecommunications Act of 1996]]. Cable companies counter that CableCARD devices have failed in the marketplace and that it would be foolish for them to be forced to use CableCARDs when the superior technology of DCAS will soon be available.
== Consumer Issues ==
Early and present adopters of cable High Definition have seen there cable bills skyrocket. The reason is two-fold. First, HD content has a price. Second, and more relevent to DCAS is because early adopters have been forced monoplistically to rent cable boxes, CableCards, and remotes from the cable companies to view digital content. CableCards if used in place of a cable box does reduce cable bills, by lowering rental fees. The trade off is less functions, because current cards are one way. One-way cards do not allow for video on demand, or pay per view programming. Two-way cards allow for VOD, PPV, and program scheduling, etc.
On July 1, 2007 consumers will be able to purchase third pary DVRs, and TVs and view cable content without having to rent from the cable company.
== See also ==
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