[FLSunshine]

Frontier is refusing to open a fiber account without their crappy DVR.

I told them I want cablecards for my TiVo. They say I can have cablecards, but I must take a their DVR if I want a Frontier Video Account. This adds $11 for the DVR and $10 for the DVR “programming”, or $21 which is over 10% surcharge for a worthless piece of crap.

Isn’t this against Federal Law?

And how do I fight it?

 

[kpeters59]

Take their box and the CableCard.

Set up your TiVo.

Return their box.

Profit...

-KP

 

[FLSunshine]

Take their box and the CableCard.

Set up your TiVo.

Return their box.

Profit...

-KP

That will not work. They state that cancels the account.

 

[fcfc2]

Frontier is refusing to open a fiber account without their crappy DVR.

I told them I want cablecards for my TiVo. They say I can have cablecards, but I must take a their DVR if I want a Frontier Video Account. This adds $11 for the DVR and $10 for the DVR "programming", or $21 which is over 10% surcharge for a worthless piece of crap.

Isn't this against Federal Law?

And how do I fight it?

Although simply returning the box after the initial install will resolve the issue, you might want to try going through the Direct forum on Dslreports, Frontier Direct forum | DSLReports, ISP Information to see if they can intercept the issue for you. The only thing is the Direct forum has gotten slower and slower in responding, so good luck. My closest Frontier store front is 68 miles away and they don't always send return shipping boxes on the first request.
If you want to blow some smoke you can file an FCC complaint, and it will eventually get it resolved, but what is fastest and easiest is debatable. Submit a request - FCC Complaints
BTW Frontier has done several variations of the "cable card" availability issue over time, at least they are allowing you to order one now.
The front line folks at Frontier tell you this crap because their computer software will not allow them to order TV without their equipment included, it can be done but not by this level of CSR's.
PS. What line CSR's tell you is often BS that they have been told by their Supervisors.

 

[celtic pride]

frontier did that to me when they took over for verizon 8years or so ago,I aiready had tivo so i took their box like they insisted i tryied their dvr,but right out the gate their dvr failed to record 2 programs, the next day i called them to come back and get their dvr and and before they were able to pick up their their box i bought me another tivo premeire for the bedroom,they didnt give me no problem,just took their box,been happy since!

 

[Dan203]

You have to take their DVR? You can't just get a simple box without the DVR functionality?

My cable company use to require you take their box to get an account, but it was free so I just took it and left it sitting in a closet. I finally returned it recently because they no longer had that requirement.

 

[FLSunshine]

You have to take their DVR? You can't just get a simple box without the DVR functionality?

My cable company use to require you take their box to get an account, but it was free so I just took it and left it sitting in a closet. I finally returned it recently because they no longer had that requirement.

I must take their DVR for the $21 as I stated previously or they refuse to open the account.

It is broken down as $11 DVR rental and $10 DVR Programming.

This seems illegal under Federal Law as I read it and exactly what the 2018 rewrite attempted to prevent - subsidizing the STB rentals from cablecards customers.

In theory, at $15 a month for TiVo Guide and $6 for Cablecards, you are paying just as much to use a TiVo (+ the actual purchase price of the TiVo) as the Frontier DVR.

Certainly there has to be some way to report this to the FCC or TiVos will die an even quicker death than the track they are on.

https://www.multichannel.com/news/fcc-tweaks-cablecard-rules-295778

"Apparently, the rules also could have been
interpreted as preventing MSOs from subsidizing
any set-top box costs with service fees. "Accordingly,
we modify our rules to make it clear
that our anti-subsidy rule only applies in cases
in which consumers use navigation devices that
they own to receive video services provided by
their cable operator," the new order said."

 

[fcfc2]

I must take their DVR for the $21 as I stated previously or they refuse to open the account.

It is broken down as $11 DVR rental and $10 DVR Programming.

This seems illegal under Federal Law as I read it and exactly what the 2018 rewrite attempted to prevent - subsidizing the STB rentals from cablecards customers.

In theory, at $15 a month for TiVo Guide and $6 for Cablecards, you are paying just as much to use a TiVo (+ the actual purchase price of the TiVo) as the Frontier DVR.

Certainly there has to be some way to report this to the FCC or TiVos will die an even quicker death than the track they are on.

https://www.multichannel.com/news/fcc-tweaks-cablecard-rules-295778

"Apparently, the rules also could have been
interpreted as preventing MSOs from subsidizing
any set-top box costs with service fees. "Accordingly,
we modify our rules to make it clear
that our anti-subsidy rule only applies in cases
in which consumers use navigation devices that
they own to receive video services provided by
their cable operator," the new order said."

Perhaps you missed my previous post....Which give you 2 options but you could try both. Here's the direct page for an FCC complaint, Submit a request - FCC Complaints
Here is the link, to the Frontier Direct forum, Frontier Direct forum | DSLReports, ISP Information

 

[tommiet]

Also try a BBB complaint... Won't hurt and would be faster than FCC complaint.

 

[dianebrat]

OP, I'm a bit stumped by you saying they won't open an account without a DVR since that one isn't true, now it may be the case that you can't have the deal you wanted to have without a DVR, those are legit.
What happens when you say you want to have an account only with a cable box? no DVR?
Unlike the small cable companies that can get a CableCARD support waiver that's not the case for Frontier.

 

[FLSunshine]

OP, I'm a bit stumped by you saying they won't open an account without a DVR since that one isn't true, now it may be the case that you can't have the deal you wanted to have without a DVR, those are legit.
What happens when you say you want to have an account only with a cable box? no DVR?
Unlike the small cable companies that can get a CableCARD support waiver that's not the case for Frontier.

I spent over 4 hours on the phone with 5 different retention agents and 2 Managers who refuse to open new video account without DVR at prices listed.

I also attempted to return the DVR on my current account which they stated I would still be charged for, though I am not in a package deal.

So how is that 'untrue"?

 

[dianebrat]

I spent over 4 hours on the phone with 5 different retention agents and 2 Managers who refuse to open new video account without DVR at prices listed.

I also attempted to return the DVR on my current account which they stated I would still be charged for, though I am not in a package deal.

So how is that 'untrue"?

Right there is the quote I was expecting, "open a new account without a DVR at the prices listed" if you're trying to get for lack of a better term "DVR special price deal" they're allowed to not give it to you for that price, what I'm saying is that they will offer a non-DVR account, just not at a price you want, am I in the ballpark?

I'm not discounting that local or regional Frontier offices are staffed by idiots however.

 

[FLSunshine]

Right there is the quote I was expecting, "open a new account without a DVR at the prices listed" if you're trying to get for lack of a better term "DVR special price deal" they're allowed to not give it to you for that price, what I'm saying is that they will offer a non-DVR account, just not at a price you want, am I in the ballpark?

I'm not discounting that local or regional Frontier offices are staffed by idiots however.

No. My OP is correct as posted.

They will not allow a video account at any price without a DVR.

They are willing to open the account, charge you $21 plus taxes and fees for the DVR and not install it.

 

[grumblin]

My understanding is that Frontier is about to file bankruptcy. This may be moot.

 

[FLSunshine]

My understanding is that Frontier is about to file bankruptcy. This may be moot.

That has little effect on the accounts. Many Companies are in Chapter 11.

About the only impact thus far is they dropped Starz.

 

[dianebrat]

No. My OP is correct as posted.

They will not allow a video account at any price without a DVR.

They are willing to open the account, charge you $21 plus taxes and fees for the DVR and not install it.

I'm sorry but that just sounds completely out of line from a business sense, especially since if this were the case with Frontier as SOP you'd be hearing about it constantly, I'm leaning more to your local people having a large hole in their heads which let their brains leak out.

 

[FLSunshine]

I'm sorry but that just sounds completely out of line from a business sense, especially since if this were the case with Frontier as SOP you'd be hearing about it constantly, I'm leaning more to your local people having a large hole in their heads which let their brains leak out.

As your posts say, there is a distinct difference having an open mind and a hole in your head from where your brains leak out.

You must own Frontier Stock and trying to spin reality.

Open YOUR mind to reality.

BTW, Frontier has no local CSRs (another bad assumption). Only a CT National call center.

 

[WVZR1]

Are any of these 'RETAIL STORES' near you? A 'Walk-In' might get all of your questions answered'

Retail Stores in Florida | Frontier.com | Frontier

All but 2 show 'Video Equipment Return'.

 

[FLSunshine]

Not a location in my County. Easily an hour drive in traffic to closet location.

I’ve spoken to several Mangers in their National Call Center Retention Department.

Do you honestly think a $15 an hour employee knows anything about cable cards and regulations that the National Managers do not?

 

[mattyro7878]

Do you have no other options? Dish,Directv, maybe U-verse? My neighbor downstairs has Frontier and I have Xfinity. I assume the Frontier is VOIP or those two companies would not share a footprint. I agree with the advice youve been given...file an FCC complaint.