Charter Signs Up for Sony's Passage Set-Top Platform

In hopes of spurring more competition and customer choice in the set-top receiver market, Charter Communications and Sony Electronics have signed a licensing agreement for Sony's Passage technology.

The technology may ultimately allow set-tops, network and headend equipment from different companies to work together on existing digital cable TV networks.

"Opening up the cable infrastructure will most certainly foster competition and result in more choices and better services for consumers," said Stephen Silva, executive VP and CTO for Charter. This, says Silva, should also spur the development of new products and industry innovation.