Slashdot Mirror
Senate Report Says Charter, Time Warner Cable Overcharges Its Customers (broadcastingcable.com)
According to an investigation by a U.S. Senate, Charter and its new subsidiary Time Warner Cable have been overcharging customers at least $7.2 million per year for equipment and service. Time Warner Cable over-billed customers nationwide an estimated $639,948 between January and April period this year. This projects the sum to a yearly total of $1,919,844. Charter admitted that it overbilled its customers by "at least $442,691 per month." A report on BroadcastingCable states:The study found that "Time Warner Cable estimates that, in 2015, it overbilled 40,193 Ohio customers a total of $430,393 and 4,232 Missouri customers a total of $44,152," while "Charter estimates that it has annually overcharged approximately 5,897 Missouri customers a total of $494,000 each year. Charter does not provide service in Ohio." The report also said that Charter and Time Warner Cable have taken steps to correct the situation as a result of the investigation.
Taxpayers when the build-outs are subsidized...
Senator: "I am shocked—shocked—to find that cheating is going on in here!"
Lobbyist: "Here is your cut, sir."
Senator: "Oh, thank you very much."
Corporations are not people, therefore crime is not criminal, and nobody goes to jail. They can steal with impunity, and when they pay their fines, that's just the kickback to the folks who grant them their monopoly. Lobbyists bought and paid for this contractual arrangement while we were voting for shills.
Welcome to the pig fest.
There's one easy solution. Competition.
Unfortunately, the cable companies own more than enough politicians to prevent that from happening.