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FCC Orders Comcast To Stop Labeling Equipment Rental a Service Fee
An anonymous reader writes "The FCC denied an appeal by Comcast, which argued that its practice of charging customers separately for a DTA (digital terminal adapter) -- a converter box that allows cable subscribers with older televisions to receive digital channels, which the company said would be provided at no charge -- is not subject to rate regulation, because it is a service fee. The ruling was issued on March 19."
Also from the article: "In an e-mail last week to the Star Tribune, Comcast vice president of corporate affairs Mary Beth Schubert said the case “involved a relatively minor dispute about the way certain items are presented on the rate card but has no effect on overall pricing.” But, [Michael Bradley, an attorney whose firm represented Minneapolis-area franchising authorities in the dispute] argued the FCC’s decision sets a strong precedent for transparency within the cable industry."
You really don't know how Slashdot's comments moderation system works, do you?
Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
Comcast does not care what the FCC says. They have legislators in their pockets to make sure no real action will ever be taken against them. They will flat out ignore FCC regs and know that nothing will ever come of it.
How about cancelling cable TV and finding something else to do with your time?
We had cable. "Extended analog cable" if I remember, which was to say, no premium channels, no "digital" channels (this was as DTV was kicking off but was not yet mandatory), so about 80 channels of content, perhaps 60 channels that weren't some variation of an OTA broadcast.
With eighty channels there were times when we couldn't find anything that we wanted to watch. We would end up watching complete and total crap, because we were paying for it and felt obligated to watch it. One day I realized that I was coming home from work, watching four or more episodes of CSI, and going to bed. Eventually I started seeing the same episodes over again, and realized that this needed to stop.
We got rid of our cable TV subscription. Still have Internet, still have phone, but now I don't have to pay to find that there's nothing on TV, and since TV doesn't cost me anything I don't feel guilty about not turning it on. I go play music or work on something or read or even surf the Internet.
Just let it go. Trust me, it will be okay.
Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
The summary says it's "a converter box that allows cable subscribers with older televisions to receive digital channels," but now that the FCC allows cable companies to encrypt ALL channels, it's pretty much mandatory. Sure, you might be able to convince them to give you a CableCARD for your compatible TV, but I've heard that they make it difficult to get.
$0.99 - Convert box rental (Equipment fee)
$18.99 - Converter box software update and 30-day license installation (Service fee)
This example shows how low they will go to defraud their users. Just how many cable subscribers are using non-HDTV sets? This is obviously their lowest tier customer class, so it is likely that they are making the least amount of profit from these users. That is why they picked this group to gouge.
There no real relationship between what they charge and what the delivery cost is. The content charges are just as artificial. The only competition is how the profits from the overpriced service is divided up. The only looser is the customer.
This situation is normal when there is no real competition. It's identical to the telcos and the banks and the pharmaceutical companies and ...
No capitalism here, just move along.
Why is Snark Required?
You are a dammed fool if you don't oppose the comcast and time warner merger. If it happens all those TWC customers are screwed! More than they currently are. Their service will drop. The prices will go up.
Think it doesnt hurt you since you're not with TWC or comcast? Just wait. I thought that way too. Until comcast bought up my cable provider (R.I.P. Adelphia) and tripled my price while the service went to SHIT.
Comcast needs to be bitchslapped down to the pavement. Hard. Force them to give a fair price for reasonable service levels.
And don't even get me started on the 'free' DTA's they handed out. "is this really free? forever?" "yes." i was told yes. flat out lied and are now making 30 bucks a year on devices that only costed $8 to make. There isn't even an option to BUY one. Since they use their own encryption. If you want tv you're giving comcast that fee every month. There's no option for your own hardware anymore. Arguing over what the fee is called is stupid! It shouldn't even be there!
Say no to comcast. Whatever the fuck they currently want.. The answer should be a giant NO! FUCK NO! GO FUCK YOURSELF NO! until they improve service and drop prices.
"Damm everyone hates comcast." "Lets change our name to xfinity!"
FCC & FTC need to get their heads out of their asses and force comcast to compete. Because this monopoly crap is TERRIBLE.
I'm never ceased to be surprised by your guys prices never match the advertised price. Surcharges/Fees/Taxes/Tips flying everywhere. About the only time I paid the price adverted was buying gas. And it's not like it's predictable "Oh, things will be 10% over the price", nope every industry from hotels to airlines to cellphones has it's own rules and offsets. Why hasn't there been a consumer revolt yet?
For the times I want to watch live sports, I go where there is no cost to watch: a sports bar. Living where I do, another possibility is the sports book. The only disadvantge is I have to share the bathroom, and the drinks cost more. I've been off cable for more than ten years. Really haven't missed it.
Most bars get annoyed if you sit there and not purchase anything to eat or drink.
So there is a cost, but you can combine it with a meal too.
Value meals for sports fans.
i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
Can you even own a cable box without any rental fees associated with it?
I know there are cablecard-based devices that you can own, but you still pay a rental fee associated with the cablecard.
It seems like if they are going to charge you for the service and the device to access the service there should be some way to own the equipment outright without paying an add-on fee.
These billing deceptions are among the reasons why cable TV and cell-phone companies are so hated. If I buy orange juice at a supermarket, the receipt does not say "checkout fee."
I gave up on TV about eight months ago, deciding to limit myself to DVDs from a public library and what I could find online. I've not regretted the decision.
I was going to say: No loitering + higher costs != "no cost to watch"
I cut the cable about 8 months ago, and (almost as healthy) quit smoking 1 month ago
My turnips listen for the soft cry of your love
Can you even own a cable box without any rental fees associated with it?
I know there are cablecard-based devices that you can own, but you still pay a rental fee associated with the cablecard.
No, you don't (offer not valid in all areas).
Different providers and even different regions within a provider handle it differently. Verizon FIOS always charges a (very high) fee, but while some TWC and Comcast areas charge a small monthly fee other TWC and Comcast areas pay the customer a monthly rebate per-each CableCard. That outcome (and the variation in outcomes) is possible only because it's pricing is subject to rate regulation which was the entire point of this FCC ruling.
Wasn't Comcast one of those companies that used to advertise their digital phone service by talking about all of the phone companies' junk fees?
Government needs to stay out of this and it's a good thing that got rid of net neutrality. Let these big ISP's crumble under their own weight and let new ISP's with friendly user policies spring up. I seriously hope these big ISP's like verizon, TWC, comcast start charging their customers high prices with obscure services so everyone could drop them. If not, well, Fuck the internet, we lived without it in the past we can do it again.
Will the real AC please stand up?
"13 channels of shit on the TV to choose from."
Got live cricket on right now, on ESPN of all places.
TV is also my radio. Optional background "noise".
ESPN is my channel of choice because it is the real world, as opposed to fake sit-coms, even worse "dramas", hideously depressing CSI type shows, and trailer trash reality shows.
My father played cricket, so there is a back story that adds to this live event.
I've played numerous sports, and love a few of them enough to watch them on TV. For the rest, it is about the human spirt. Amazing feats of endurance, athleticism and will.
Besides, TV is part of our "bundle", coupled with two things we absolutely need -- iNet + WIRED phone service.
To each his own. TV is not needed by some (especially those who are not interested in sports). TV works for others who find something good in it.
This thread is really about Comcast, and Comcast is really about monopoly. If there wasn't one, Comcast wouldn't be playing billing games. They would be offering things customers want, in a bid to _earn_ customers.
I come here for the love
It's AC all the way down.
but this doesn't stop them from charging whatever they want. There's no indication the FCC is going to attempt to regulate the pricing for them.
A real win for customers would be the ability to buy them.
I'm amazed that they sell you a signal. They scramble the signal. They then make you rent a box to descramble it. What a scam.
Buy them ? You can get a tivo, but there is a rental. The last "non rental" box was the Sony HDD series, which lasted six months in 2007 or so. I surmise there is some sort of "must be individually addressable" rule under the Cable card rules. There have been DVR since then, but they either are OTA only, or rental basis (TiVo). The companies have lobbied successfully to get all signals scrambled-save the OTA local market. Since they used to stream in analog the change to digital was used to restrict things...there is zero reason the QAM signals can't be open, and read by most HDTV sets with no issues...save the desire to bang everyone $8 per box, or more for a DVR.
this: There's 57 channels and nothing on.
Get your free Dropbox account with 2 GB Free storage!
Cause I pay $15 extra to use an HD box. Because there are oh so many TVs that don't display HD being sold.
I am of the opinion, FCC legislation should mandate that Comcast cannot charge any surchage fees for anything that is standard, and define standard as at least 50% of the TV sold.
So in this case, since more than 50% of the TVs sold are HD, they should not be allowed to charge extra for the HD service. They could for 3D. Until 50% of TVs sold offer 3D.
That's a nice rule of thumb that eliminates being charged extra for a standard conveyance.