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The decision by Fusion Digital Television (UK news 11 May) to include its own proprietary EPG, with a 7-day guide could open a fault-line across the digital industry.
According to the industry newsletter, New Media Markets, the ITC has been asked to settle the dispute over the development of proprietary electronic programme guides (EPGs) for digital-terrestrial television.
The heart of the complaint is Crown Castle's decision lease capacity to third parties which will allow technology company 4TV to operate a proprietary seven-day EPG. Based in Nantwich, Cheshire, 4TV has developed FastTV which it claims: " ... is a rapid, feature rich EPG that offers much more than the basic 'Now and Next' functionality offered by many current EPGs."
However, other manufacturers allege that Crown Castle has not stuck to the terms of its licence as the EPG is not freely available and is offered on commercial terms. Crown Castle said that the data service was available to all manufacturers. Clause seven of Crown Castle's licence states that the licensee should ensure that: "Any EPG service included in the licensed service is provided using published technical standards which are freely available and have been standardised either by a recognised European standardisation body or such other industry body as is recognised by the Commission."
In the meantime, The Digital Network (TDN), which represents the interests of all multiplex operators, has been working closely with manufacturers on an open standard EPG which is based on the TV Anytime system Some believe that the work could be undone if proprietary versions are deployed and the revelation that Crown Castle had leased the capacity came as a surprise to many in the industry.
NMM reports an executive at another set-top box company saying: "If you have a licence then doing something that isn't laid down in that licence shouldn't be allowed. This could slow down the whole development of Freeview."
There has been dialogue between some manufacturers and the ITC about the matter.
According to the industry newsletter, New Media Markets, the ITC has been asked to settle the dispute over the development of proprietary electronic programme guides (EPGs) for digital-terrestrial television.
The heart of the complaint is Crown Castle's decision lease capacity to third parties which will allow technology company 4TV to operate a proprietary seven-day EPG. Based in Nantwich, Cheshire, 4TV has developed FastTV which it claims: " ... is a rapid, feature rich EPG that offers much more than the basic 'Now and Next' functionality offered by many current EPGs."
However, other manufacturers allege that Crown Castle has not stuck to the terms of its licence as the EPG is not freely available and is offered on commercial terms. Crown Castle said that the data service was available to all manufacturers. Clause seven of Crown Castle's licence states that the licensee should ensure that: "Any EPG service included in the licensed service is provided using published technical standards which are freely available and have been standardised either by a recognised European standardisation body or such other industry body as is recognised by the Commission."
In the meantime, The Digital Network (TDN), which represents the interests of all multiplex operators, has been working closely with manufacturers on an open standard EPG which is based on the TV Anytime system Some believe that the work could be undone if proprietary versions are deployed and the revelation that Crown Castle had leased the capacity came as a surprise to many in the industry.
NMM reports an executive at another set-top box company saying: "If you have a licence then doing something that isn't laid down in that licence shouldn't be allowed. This could slow down the whole development of Freeview."
There has been dialogue between some manufacturers and the ITC about the matter.