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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
The Federal Communications Commission has opened an investigation into the pricing policies of major cable operators and Verizon Communications Inc.
The agency wants to ensure the companies' customers are getting treated fairly, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said in an interview with The Associated Press.
"I'm certainly concerned with the increasing cable prices that consumers are facing," Martin said. "They are getting less and being charged the same or more."
The FCC wrote on Oct. 30 to cable operators including Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable Inc., Cox Communications Inc., Charter Communications Inc., Cablevision Systems Corp., Bright House Networks, Suddenlink Communications, Bend Cable Communications, GCI Company, Harron Entertainment and RCN Corp.
Verizon, which offers pay-TV services with FiOS, also was included in the probe.
The agency's letter questioned the companies' practice of moving analog channels into digital tiers to free up bandwidth for other uses, such as high-definition channels. Analog customers will have to get a digital set-top box from the operator or buy the digital TV tier to watch those channels.
Cable is competing with satellite TV and phone companies.
Most cable customers are analog customers, and those who do not wish to upgrade to digital cannot watch the channels that are moved to the digital tier.
The agency also will look into whether cable operators and Verizon are confusing customers by linking the shift of the analog channel to the digital tier to the nation's transition to digital broadcasts, Martin said.
The two moves are unrelated.
Linking the two in customers' minds could prompt more people to opt for digital video and cable services because the February digital TV transition is mandated by the federal government. The FCC has asked companies being probed to submit information about their pricing practices within two weeks.
Martin said it appears consumers weren't given "appropriate notice" about the channel changes.
He said the FCC has received a "significant" number of consumer complaints about the practice of moving analog channels to digital, which has accelerated this year.
The FCC's letter was sent out a day after Consumers Union sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation asking for an investigation into the practice of moving analog channels to the digital tier.
"Consumers are left paying the same monthly rate for significantly less service, or must rent more expensive set-top boxes for each television set they own," said Consumers Union, a nonprofit advocacy group.
AP source
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Posted 11/4/08 8:13 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
I saw this...it's about time. Especially on Long Island we are being ripped off!!!
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| Posted 11/4/08 8:15 PM |
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JennZ
MY LIFE!!
Member since 8/05 25463 total posts
Name:
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Re: FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
About freaking time. Should have done it years ago. Crooks.
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| Posted 11/4/08 8:16 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
Posted by jellybean1420
I saw this...it's about time. Especially on Long Island we are being ripped off!!!
I am so HAPPY!!
"The agency also will look into whether cable operators and Verizon are confusing customers by linking the shift of the analog channel to the digital tier to the nation's transition to digital broadcasts, Martin said.
The two moves are unrelated.
Linking the two in customers' minds could prompt more people to opt for digital video and cable services because the February digital TV transition is mandated by the federal government. The FCC has asked companies being probed to submit information about their pricing practices within two weeks.
Martin said it appears consumers weren't given "appropriate notice" about the channel changes.
"Consumers are left paying the same monthly rate for significantly less service, or must rent more expensive set-top boxes for each television set they own," said Consumers Union, a nonprofit advocacy group.
Message edited 11/4/2008 8:18:59 PM.
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| Posted 11/4/08 8:18 PM |
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HoneyBadger
YourWorstNightmare.
Member since 10/06 15979 total posts
Name:
BahBahBlackJeep
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Re: FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
Sweet!! As others have already said, it's about time!
Cable is such a rip off.
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| Posted 11/4/08 8:23 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
bumping, just b/c I am so happy about this 
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| Posted 11/4/08 9:14 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
bumping, just b/c I am so happy about this
me too!
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| Posted 11/4/08 9:47 PM |
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dbleplay17
My 2 boys!
Member since 10/06 4578 total posts
Name:
Chrissy
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Re: FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
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| Posted 11/4/08 10:30 PM |
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HelenZ
So worth the wait :)
Member since 10/07 2862 total posts
Name:
Helen
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Re: FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
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| Posted 11/4/08 10:32 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
Posted by jellybean1420
I saw this...it's about time. Especially on Long Island we are being ripped off!!!
I am so HAPPY!!
"The agency also will look into whether cable operators and Verizon are confusing customers by linking the shift of the analog channel to the digital tier to the nation's transition to digital broadcasts, Martin said.
The two moves are unrelated.
Linking the two in customers' minds could prompt more people to opt for digital video and cable services because the February digital TV transition is mandated by the federal government. The FCC has asked companies being probed to submit information about their pricing practices within two weeks.
Martin said it appears consumers weren't given "appropriate notice" about the channel changes.
"Consumers are left paying the same monthly rate for significantly less service, or must rent more expensive set-top boxes for each television set they own," said Consumers Union, a nonprofit advocacy group.
When DH called a few months ago to try to get the bill lowered - they argued with him for 10 mins that any TV we had hooked up to a cable only (no box) would stop working and without a cable box in Feb those TVs will stop working which isn't true.
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| Posted 11/5/08 8:29 AM |
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LINewbie
Tigger the the Rescue!
Member since 8/08 5647 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
When DH called a few months ago to try to get the bill lowered - they argued with him for 10 mins that any TV we had hooked up to a cable only (no box) would stop working and without a cable box in Feb those TVs will stop working which isn't true.
Yeah we fell for that one.  They sent a letter sating so. WE do get a few more channels than before but we're paying a lot more, plus fees for extra boxes.
Rip. Off.
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| Posted 11/5/08 12:57 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
Posted by LINewbie
When DH called a few months ago to try to get the bill lowered - they argued with him for 10 mins that any TV we had hooked up to a cable only (no box) would stop working and without a cable box in Feb those TVs will stop working which isn't true.
Yeah we fell for that one. They sent a letter sating so. WE do get a few more channels than before but we're paying a lot more, plus fees for extra boxes.
Rip. Off.
   I hope they get theirs!
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| Posted 11/5/08 8:41 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: FCC to probe pricing policies of cable and Verizon
I'm on hold with them right now..on hold...on hold..
more like on rot...
they really suck.
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| Posted 11/5/08 8:52 PM |
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