Charter May Not Use Microsoft for Set Tops

Charter Communications Inc. said it might not use Microsoft software in new set-top boxes. The cable TV company is testing software to use in set-top boxes made by Motorola Inc., said spokesman Andy Morgan. He declined to name what other software Charter is studying. Charter wants to have the new set-top boxes available in the fourth quarter.

The No. 4 U.S. cable operator last month announced plans to use new equipment for services that let customers watch one TV show while recording and storing others on a computer disk. That marked a reversal from last year, when Charter said it planned to use Microsoft’s software in as many as 1 million homes over seven years.

St. Louis-based Charter is concerned that the Microsoft box isn’t capable of performing as many tasks as it would like. On Nasdaq, Microsoft shares fell $2.13 to $60.10 and Charter fell 32 cents to $13.04.