both high- and low-speed bidirectional Internet service for both Internet and TV Chapter 12 Broadband Access Alternatives applications, and computer applications must be provided to both the television and the desktop computer through cable. Characteristics of OpenCable digital set-top boxes will include expanded memory, powerful graphics engines, and support for one-way broadcasts (e.g., near-VOD, Web browsing, Internet e-mail) as well as two-way interactive services (e.g., Internet access via TV, high-definition video programming). Besides defining next-generation digital consumer devices, OpenCable also aims to encourage sup- plier competition and to create a retail hardware platform. OCAP OCAP is intended to enable the developers of interactive television ser- vices and applications to design such products so that they will run successfully on any cable TV system in North America, independent of set-top or television receiver, hardware, or operating system software choices. OCAP consists of a set of technical specifications created by CableLabs and endorsed by the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (www.scte.org) and other industry groups. The OCAP 1.0 specification was released in December 2001 and was followed by OCAP 2.0 in April 2002. The specifications include two main sets of software: middleware and applications software/content authoring tools. The majority of the software is based on Sun Microsystems Java, which already used by many developers to create content for PCs, the Web, gaming devices, and TV. OpenCable's objective is to put OCAP middleware into all sorts of intelligent devices and then use OCAP authoring tools to create interactive content to run on those devices. This will allow manufacturers and retail distributors of set-top boxes, television receivers, and other appliances to build and sell to con- sumers interesting and highly functional next-generation digital devices aimed at supporting a host of new and exciting interactive services delivered by cable opera- tors. Simply 