Cable box requirement for Spectrum?
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Spectrum.net
How does a CableCARD work?
What are the benefits of a CableCARD?
Disclaimer: CableCARD customers subscribing to any service package in which Spectrum equipment is included in the package price may receive a discounted price, reduced by an amount equal to/greater than the fee for such equipment not leased from us. We lease CableCARDs for $2 per month per CableCARD for use in customer-owned retail CableCARD-ready devices. Our leased receivers also include either a CableCARD or integrated security inside the device. Our lease rate for cable boxes with CableCARD includes a $2 imputed charge for the included CableCARD.
How does a CableCARD work?
A CableCARD installed into a compatible device that allows access to Spectrum TV services. This means you don't need to lease a Spectrum Receiver (cable box). If you're having issues with your CableCARD, you can troubleshoot it.
What are the benefits of a CableCARD?
- Save Money: CableCARDs are the least expensive option in terms of equipment for service. Get a discounted monthly rate which can help you save money in the long run. Contact us for more info.
- Reduce Clutter: Tired of all the wires and cords taking over your home? No worries. CableCARDs are wire-free so your TV stand will be free from the mess that cables and cords create.
- Flexible DVR Options: Worried about being trapped with a DVR you don't like? Not a problem. CableCARDs allow you to work with your preferred choice for a DVR.
Disclaimer: CableCARD customers subscribing to any service package in which Spectrum equipment is included in the package price may receive a discounted price, reduced by an amount equal to/greater than the fee for such equipment not leased from us. We lease CableCARDs for $2 per month per CableCARD for use in customer-owned retail CableCARD-ready devices. Our leased receivers also include either a CableCARD or integrated security inside the device. Our lease rate for cable boxes with CableCARD includes a $2 imputed charge for the included CableCARD.
I went into the store today to return all my boxes and the Manager told me I am required to keep at least one for their "select" plan. I filed a complaint through the FCC website; hopefully it will get escalated and someone can remedy this situation.
All the channels have to work. Store manager is a moron.
So what. That's been the case with cable card since inception. What has changed that this now trumps the law?
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27 Posts
The clerk at the store is mis-informed. I'm a current Spectrum subscriber - carried over from Time Warner. I've had a CableCARD for nearly 8 years. The ONLY box that I have from the cable company is the Cisco STA1520 Tuning Adapter, which IS required if you want to get Switched Digital Channels. This assumes that you're in a Switched Digital market. The Tuning Adapter should be NO charge - as it has never appeared as a line item on my bill (I'm sure I'm paying for it one way or another).
Using the CableCARD and Tuning Adapter, I get every channel offered - minus premiums I don't pay for or the OnDemand channels. As stated above - the On-Demand is a no-go as you need a two-way device for this. I've lived just fine without the On-Demand stuff.
Using the CableCARD and Tuning Adapter, I get every channel offered - minus premiums I don't pay for or the OnDemand channels. As stated above - the On-Demand is a no-go as you need a two-way device for this. I've lived just fine without the On-Demand stuff.
I have the tuning adapter and cable card and they are working great with my TIVOs. I'm sure they would allow me to return the cable box if their system allowed them, but I suspect that the Spectrum system will not allow them to remove the box from their promo plan. Is there anything in clear writing from the FCC that states that cable companies cannot force the lease of equipment on customers?
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2,263 Posts
As am I, but we are grandfathered into spectrum.
Making any change, to the timewarner account, will trigger a switch to new spectrum account.
Spectrum will cancel the (GF) timewarner account and create a new spectrum account.
Don't ask me how I know.
So I think the OP's problem as he states below, could just be the spectrum box is inclusive of the package.
The cost of the box cannot be separated from the package price.
Still, it doesn't hurt to pitch a b-itch at the FCC.
I don't recall seeing anything from FCC. But I have not kept current with evolving(?) regulations.
Wondering is there a "line item" with a price, greater than $0.00 for the cable box?
I've gotten Spectrum packages that included a "free" box that I could not return. In that case, I just kept the box in my closet until the promo ran out. But they can't force you to pay for a box when you've substituted it with a cable card. If the box is free, just play their game. If it's not free, keep pursuing the FCC option until Spectrum complies.
They are charging me 7.99 for the cable box plus an additional 2.00 for the cable card and tuning adapter. I received an email from spectrum stating that they will follow up on the FCC complaint i filed within the next 24 hours.
Note the first bullet point from the FCC rules (law).
CableCARD: Know Your Rights
CableCARD: Know Your Rights
I got a call from an escalation specialist after submitting a complaint to the FCC. As suspected, the employees working at the store and the people at the call centers do not know what they are talking about. The cable cards and tuning adapter fulfill the equipment requirement for the cable plan. They kept getting errors in their system when trying to remove the cable box from my account so they just gave me the"your plan requires at least one cable box" line.
This guy on the phone was able to remove the box and credit my account for the $20 in "self install" fees for the cable card. It's amazing I had to file a complaint with the FCC to finally get someone with a brain to help me out.
This guy on the phone was able to remove the box and credit my account for the $20 in "self install" fees for the cable card. It's amazing I had to file a complaint with the FCC to finally get someone with a brain to help me out.
Good to know, going to find out next week how difficult this is for me. If I have to file a FCC complaint to remove it I'll add the fact it took me 8 days to get a card, 5 more to get it paired because they thought #2 was bad and they ran out of cards .The kicker is every HD box in their trucks has a removable cable card in it. I should have looked at the bottom of the box waaaaay sooner.
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