• Bloomberg, Monday, October 15, 2012 3:32 PM

The FCC will now allow cable operators to encrypt their basic services "to fight theft and reduce service calls," writes Todd Shields. Encryption was always permitted for satellite services or other cable competitors, but was formerly a cable no-no "so customers wouldn’t need to rent a set-top box to view local stations," according to Shields. Encryption will also allow companies like Comcast to "start and stop service remotely, which customers prefer to scheduling an appointment with a technician." Yes indeed!

Read the whole story at Bloomberg »