Spectrum requires cablebox

I had the same issue when signing up for service in store. At least they gave me a simple set top box which is only $4/month instead of a DVR. I'm hoping I can somehow return it in the future though, but your experience makes me think otherwise.

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I had no problem returning a cable box to Charter a couple of years ago and getting it off my bill. You should raise a ruckus, threaten to cancel, etc.

 

It seems to me this is a violation of the FCC regulations, at least it is a violation of the purpose of the regulations,
CableCARD: Know Your Rights
And in this case, if they are forcing you to pay for an unneeded and unused cable box when you are in fact using a cable card, then I would encourage you to file a complaint with the FCC. Here is a link, just fill it out and see what happens.
FCC Complaints

 

Charter/Spectrum went to all digital several years ago. So, if the new unit is being connected to its own tv, it will need a cable box unless it uses a cableCARD.

When they first changed to all digital I was rather pissed, as I have little 19" TVs in my kitchen and my office. I just used the old 'plug a cable from the wall to the tv and go' deal. But when they changed I had to have cable boxes for those TVs to operate on cable.

The good news was that the new cable boxes are much smaller, so it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, except for having to pay $5-6 for each new cable box.

 

At least so far they have not told me to get a cable box. But If they do I will insist on my free cable modem as well. (When TW wanted to charge me $5 a month for a $60 box I bought my own!)

I run a Roameo Plus with two mini's. Cable card and Tuning Adapter is all I pay for. (Actually there is no charge on the TA.) But this was a plan that I had prior to Charter buying TW Cable.

 

The usual issue (and a long term issue with Verizon) is that the order screens will not let you complete an order without a cable box even though a CableCARD will fulfill the requirement on paper, the standard approach is to get the cable box and CableCARD, get service up, return the box that you don't need.

 

Get your complaints in while there's still an FCC!

 

Luckily we didn't have this issue when we ordered FIOS service for my son's apartment a little over a year ago. The apartment complex did have a specific contact for us to call but you wouldn't think that would have mattered.

Scott

 

This!

If your bill shows a charge for a box, I think this will work. It did for me.

 

I've had Charter Spectrum without any boxes for years. But some promo packages may include a free box. This was the case with one of my promo deals years ago. They would not take the box back without changing my plan. So I just set said box in the closet for 2 years until the deal expired.

 

I'm on Charter and have no cable box. I hope they haven't changed anything.

 

Sometimes they don't understand unless you tell them you have Tivo. I would try again. I just changed my package on Charter, and while they tried to give me a box, once I told them I only had Tivo with a cable card, that was the end of that discussion. So Charter certainly can provide service without a box and do so to many thousands of customers today.

 

You can also complain to your local franchise authority. This whole thing is just an exercise in navigating bureaucracy to reach the right people who can get things done. I usually take 2 approaches, forcing me to rent equipment is going against the purpose of CableCARDs and secondly, advertising a particular price for TV service when there is a hidden charge of renting equipment which cannot be avoided is deceptive to consumer. If they want to bundle equipment in, that should be included in the base price. I usually make the 2nd argument to the franchise authority because their rate sheet they are required to publish usually makes no mention of mandatory equipment rental.

Eventually if you are persistent enough, you get the right person with the authority to create a billing plan that doesn't require equipment. Usually it can be done by creating a special dummy cablebox that costs $0 but will satisfy the requirement from that you have a box on your account. Alternatively they can tag a CableCARD so it looks like a cablebox in their system.

 

The CableCARD will fulfill the box requirement, it's part of the regulations

 

I don't have a box, and Im doing just fine without one. Now, if only Tivo would straighten out its programming guide.