Push back if Comcast et al refuse to rent you CableCARDs

[rlcarr]

I've noticed a number of posts where people say (often about Comcast) that a cable co will/can refuse to lease you CableCARDs unless you upgrade to a high enough service tier, even if the system is all-digital.

I happened to mention this to a lawyer friend of mine and he sent me back the following:

FCC Rule 76.1201, 47 CFR sec. 76.1201 requires cable providers to permit
customers to connect their own navigation devices except when they would
harm the network.

http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_08/47cfr76_08.html

The FCC fined Time Warner for violating this rule when it switched its
Kauai services to a SDV system, cutting off cablecard users from some
channels.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-2300A1.pdf


Hopefully this'll help subscribers to basic cable on all-digital systems to pry CableCARDs out of the cableco.

[bicker]

I've noticed a number of posts where people say (often about Comcast) that a cable co will/can refuse to lease you CableCARDs unless you upgrade to a high enough service tier, even if the system is all-digital. I happened to mention this to a lawyer friend of mine and he sent me back the following:
The FCC fined Time Warner for violating this rule when it switched its
Kauai services to a SDV system, cutting off cablecard users from some
channels.That fine was just reversed.
The Federal Communications Commission on Friday reversed orders by the agency's Enforcement Bureau that fined Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications for deploying switched digital video.

...

FCC commissioner Robert McDowell, in a statement, concurred that the migration of programming to a switched digital video platform does not violate FCC rules.

"Deployment of SDV technology to deliver video programming is consistent with the plain language of the regulations," McDowell said. "It also can serve the public interest by allowing cable operators to comply with the Commission's 'viewability' rules and deliver more programming options, including HD channels and niche programming, without displacing significant numbers of existing channels."

http://www.multichannel.com/article/306974-FCC_Vacates_SDV_Rulings_Against_Time_Warner_Cable_Cox.php


Hopefully this'll help subscribers to basic cable on all-digital systems to pry CableCARDs out of the cableco.What your lawyer friend forgot to tell you was that the regulations doesn't require provision of CableCARDs for free; the MSO is permitted to require a certain level of service, a certain fee. The fees are reported to the FCC periodically and the FCC concerns itself only with the average fee, in terms of assessing whether the fees are fair.

So while most (but not all) service providers are required to provide CableCARDs, it is not necessarily on terms that we might want them.

[Phantom Gremlin]

Comcast policy varies from location to location. I pay about $10/mo for basic cable from them. That includes two CableCARDs.

[ewilts]

Comcast policy varies from location to location. I pay about $10/mo for basic cable from them. That includes two CableCARDs.
Ditto. $10.66 plus taxes and fees.

[jlb]

I pay ~$11/mo for basic w/local HDs.

My 1 M card is free.

[MPSAN]

Comcast policy varies from location to location. I pay about $10/mo for basic cable from them. That includes two CableCARDs.

Well, they are going to be here tomorrow and I have digital classic. I need 3 M-Cards. I can only imagine what my bill is going to look like. It seems that no matter what I am told on the phone I get a different answer every time I call. I will have them just install the cards and just wait to see what is charged.

P.S. I was even told I could pick them up at the store on Nimbus...but someone else said they do not give out M-Cards...or S-Cards there! The worst thing is that no matter who you talk to, they insist that they are the ones who have the correct answer and that all others were just not correct in what they promised me!

[Phantom Gremlin]

Well, they are going to be here tomorrow and I have digital classic. I need 3 M-Cards. I can only imagine what my bill is going to look like.

Be sure to update us once you get your bill.

What I'm most curious about (but not curious enough to actually call them) is "additional outlets". I bet you'll have to pay for two additional outlets on top of your M-Card fees.

[MPSAN]

Be sure to update us once you get your bill.

What I'm most curious about (but not curious enough to actually call them) is "additional outlets". I bet you'll have to pay for two additional outlets on top of your M-Card fees.

Well, they were here and it did go well as far as the install goes. I see that I pay $9.95 for 3 outlets and $1.77 X 4. Not sure why they are charging for 4 M-Cards. I only got 3 and what happened to FREE for the first card. I still show a DVR at $15.99 and $7.00 for DVR service? I will call them but I have no idea what they are talking about...neither do they!